Knee Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis in upper extremities, and osteoarthritis in lower extremities due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at the maximum allowed, and a higher rating for limitation of extension is denied.,A separate evaluation of moderate instability is granted. A higher evaluation for instability is not warranted due to the amputation rule.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a lack of an in-person examination, given the Veteran's age and health concerns.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) and remanded other issues related to the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and right hip disorder. The decision also noted that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss had its onset in service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including meniscal cartilage involvement and popliteal nerve entrapment, is rated at 20 percent. Service connection for a left hip disability is denied. A TDIU on an extra-schedular basis is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic injury, third division of the trigeminal nerve and degenerative joint disease (DJD), right knee were denied. The Veteran was also remanded to obtain a new VA examination for her service-connected right knee DJD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability, which was rated as status post total left knee arthroplasty prior to November 14, 2018, and in excess of 60 percent as of that date, has been denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent prior to April 19, 2017, and 30 percent thereafter. A separate rating of 20 percent for limitation of extension from April 19, 2017, to January 16, 2020, has been granted. The Veteran's right knee disability is not rated higher than 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service complaints.

The Board denied service connection for high blood pressure, heart disorder, and left knee disorder as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss was also denied because the Veteran did not meet the VA criteria for a current diagnosis of hearing loss in that ear.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for left knee internal derangement status post meniscectomy and ACL replacement with hamstring grafting, chondromalacia, and degenerative joint disease (left knee) and right knee chondromalacia.,No specific date was provided for the effective dates as they are not warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right wrist disorder, left wrist disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's stroke residuals.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee condition, all of which are currently denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for ratings higher than 10 percent for his bilateral knee degenerative joint disease with Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and foot disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are being returned to the RO/AMC for further development.,Service connection is not granted for a back disability or right lower extremity radiculopathy (to include hip and ankle) due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain/sprain with scoliosis and right knee chondromalacia patella, status post right knee ACL surgery with shin splints have been granted initial ratings. The rating for the right knee condition was reduced after August 2, 2018.

The Veteran's chondromalacia left knee is rated at a 20 percent disability rating effective August 27, 2014. The Board also granted an additional 20 percent for the same condition under Diagnostic Code 5258 due to frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint.