Knee decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence linking the condition to in-service stressors.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral shoulder disability due to lack of in-service injury or disease and insufficient evidence linking current symptoms to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to inadequate VA examination findings.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261, as his range of motion testing did not meet the required limitations.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 30% for limitation of motion in extension since April 26, 2021. The appeal period has been addressed and the current rating remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a right knee disability and back disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service. The VA will need to obtain updated treatment records, translate German medical records, and schedule the Veteran for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for disability manifested by widespread joint and muscle pain (other than chronic lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right wrist strain) has been granted.,Service connection has also been established for insomnia secondary to service-connected sleep apnea. The Veteran's fatigue is being remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, and further examination is needed.

The Board has denied service connection for chest pain and right knee disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a direct relationship to service.,No specific exposure basis was provided in the decision.

The Veteran's left knee disability has not manifested flexion to 30 degrees or extension to 15 degrees, dislocated or removed semi-lunar cartilage, recurrent subluxation or instability. Therefore, the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes, left knee is denied.

The Veteran's right knee, post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA), is rated at 60 percent effective from August 1, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees due to inadequate examination reports, failure to adhere to instructions, and internal inconsistency in opinions.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a bilateral knee disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis as secondary to his service-connected right knee meniscal tear with chondromalacia.

The Veteran's bunions are being remanded for a new VA examination to determine their etiology.,The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded due to inadequate previous examination and the need for additional medical opinion regarding its relationship to service.,The Veteran's unspecified chronic virus, including Lyme Disease and/or Epstein-Barr virus, is being remanded as there are conflicting opinions on its etiology and potential radiation exposure link.,The Veteran's neurological eye disability, specifically Fuch's dystrophy, is being remanded for a supplemental VA medical opinion to address the relationship between her service and these conditions.,The Veteran's sciatica is being remanded due to inadequate previous examination and need for additional medical opinion regarding its etiology.,The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma, is being remanded as there are conflicting opinions on its etiology and potential radiation exposure link.,The Veteran's lower extremity stress fracture residuals are being remanded for a supplemental VA medical opinion to determine the presence of such residuals.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including strain and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent for the degenerative arthritis is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Hepatitis C and right knee disability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives, and additional development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to service.,Service connection was denied for a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of her exostosis of the skull and head scar, as these issues are currently in dispute.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent from March 1, 2013. This rating reflects the severity of his condition, which includes severe painful motion and weakness.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities (patellar tendinitis with patellar exostoses and associated right and left knee extension/instability) are all rated at 10 percent.