Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, but remanded the cases of right knee disability and low back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The left knee was rated at 20 percent, and the right knee was also rated at 20 percent. Separate 10 percent ratings were granted for mild instability of both knees.

The Veteran's left knee strain and slight instability are granted a separate 10 percent rating, while the initial ratings for left knee strain (10%), limitation of flexion of the left hip (10%), and limitation of adduction and rotation of the left hip remain denied. The Veteran is granted an initial 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in the previous decision and the need for a new VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's right knee DJD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete development of Federal records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient reasoning regarding etiology and pathophysiology. An addendum medical opinion is needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's right knee strain and residuals of a right knee arthroscopy are granted service connection. However, the Veteran does not have a current disability of sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis, finding that the current diagnoses of degenerative osteoarthritis were not incurred in or related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee condition and right knee condition, to include residuals of a right knee surgery. The claim for an initial compensable rating for the right hand fourth metacarpal fracture with scar is remanded.

The Veteran's left ankle sprain, lumbar strain, cervical strain, right knee patellar bursitis, and left knee patellar bursitis are all rated at the maximum available rating of 10 percent. The Veteran’s sinus arrhythmia is not compensable. For the period from June 2, 2012 to February 12, 2020, his PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling; since February 13, 2020, it is rated at 70 percent.,PTSD has been found to cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and for obtaining updated VA treatment records. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his diffuse joint and muscle pain is related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% rating throughout the entire period of the claim, and service connection for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee DJD was denied. A separate 20 percent rating is granted for left knee locking, pain, and joint effusion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The new examinations are needed to address the nature and etiology of the claimed disabilities, including knee, back, and hip conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome were denied. The Veteran was granted initial separate ratings of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5003-5260 from December 31, 2008 to June 19, 2016 for degenerative arthritis of the left knee status post anterior cruciate ligament repair and degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5003-5260 from June 20, 2016 for degenerative arthritis, status post anterior cruciate ligament repair, left knee was denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5003-5260 from June 20, 2016 for degenerative arthritis of the right knee was granted. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent from June 20, 2016 to July 10, 2017 for degenerative arthritis, right knee, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter under Diagnostic Code 5257 was denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome was increased to 10 percent in July 2014. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating, as the Veteran’s range of motion is not limited to an extent warranting such a rating.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and right knee disorder, including as secondary to the left knee disorder. The Veteran appealed this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the remaining issues related to PTSD, elbow disorders, back disorder, hip disorders, knee disorders, and foot disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development and examination regarding a left knee disorder. The Veteran's service connection claim is pending.