Knee decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active duty.,Service connection has also been granted for allergic rhinitis, but the rating assigned is only 10%.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities, including a rating for residuals of a right knee replacement with patellofemoral pain syndrome and right knee instability. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available for this condition. The appeal has been denied as there is no evidence of more than limited motion or instability warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder is reopened, and the issues of service connection for multiple joint disorders are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current left knee degenerative joint disease and an in-service injury. The evidence did not establish that arthritis manifested within one year of service discharge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active service or any service-connected disability. The Board also remanded the issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis with patella release of both knees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability and bilateral pes planus due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiners' opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of a right shoulder condition, bilateral knee condition, and lower back condition due to new and material evidence. The claims are granted.,The Board also remanded several other issues including service connection for hypertension, acquired psychiatric condition, and COPD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for knee and shoulder disabilities due to lack of proper development, including obtaining outstanding military records and VA treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his knee and shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was granted. The claims for right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as lumbar spine disability, were denied.

The Veteran's right and left knee degenerative arthritis are granted as service connection is established based on continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or its residuals, and cerebrovascular accident (CVA)/stroke or its residuals, is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral dry eyes and conjunctivitis (claimed as residuals of flash burning bilateral eyes), migraine headaches, left knee disability, low back disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder has also been recharacterized.

The Board has denied service connection for right hip, right knee, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral bunion disabilities due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a higher rating is denied.,A separate 20 percent rating is granted for right knee dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion.,The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent based on painful and/or limited motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities prior to October 27, 2014 and July 21, 2014 were denied. For the period from December 1, 2015 to September 1, 2015, a 60 percent evaluation was granted for her right and left knee disabilities post total knee replacement.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from July 19, 2006 to November 26, 2007. The criteria for TDIU were met as the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depressive disorder with adjustment disorder, bilateral knee conditions, and carpal tunnel syndromes, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience.

The Veteran's right hip and knee disabilities, as well as his major depressive disorder prior to August 12, 2014, are granted with specific disability ratings.,A 20 percent rating is granted for limitation of abduction of the right hip, a 10 percent rating is granted for limitation of extension of the right hip, and a 40 percent rating is granted for limitation of flexion of the right hip prior to August 12, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected impairment of sphincter control is rated at 60 percent, effective December 22, 2017. The right knee disability remains rated at 10 percent.