Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left knee strain with osteoarthritis was rated at 10 percent, right knee synovitis with chondromalacia of patella at 10 percent, and the bilateral hearing loss at a compensable rating prior to December 2, 2015, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and scoliosis, right knee strain, and left knee strain and torn ligament are being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as meniscus tear and subluxation, is granted a 20% rating effective July 29, 2016. Separate ratings are assigned for limitation of flexion (10%), limitation of extension (10%) between August 13, 2015 through May 10, 2019, and post-surgical scar pain (non-compensable).

The Veteran's combined disability ratings for service-connected disabilities are higher than the rate payable for nonservice-connection pension, making the claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits moot and dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, lumbar spine disability, and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by events during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and left leg/calf disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for ratings in excess of 10 percent for right knee and right hip disabilities, so the Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal, respiratory, psychiatric, hearing loss and tinnitus, lumbar spine, shoulder, hand, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, including tendinitis/tendinosis and arthritis. The Veteran reported pain in his knees during basic training, which he attributed to repetitive running and pounding.,Service connection was denied for the Veteran's left shoulder disability (bicipital tendonitis). The Board found insufficient evidence to establish an in-service event.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a higher rating prior to July 30, 2014, and his bilateral pes planus alone does not qualify him for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, PTSD, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), eczema, reproductive disorder, headache disorder, back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, sciatica/radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and sciatica/radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are all remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. Service connection was also granted for IBS and GERD as qualifying chronic disabilities due to the Veteran's service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current arthritis and his military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for aching bones, headaches, and fatigue as due to undiagnosed illness was granted. The claim for service connection for aching bones is now reopened with a disability rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is rated at 0 percent, as the VA examination results do not warrant a compensable rating.,The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome with patellar tendinitis prior to July 4, 2019 and status post right total knee replacement from July 5, 2019 are both rated at 30 percent. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions.,The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome with patellar tendinitis is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran is seeking TDIU prior to December 21, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for left knee degenerative changes, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, bilateral ankle, back, and hypertension disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for VA loan guaranty benefits as it is inextricably intertwined with a pending left knee disability claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg disorder and left knee disorder as secondary to a right leg disorder are being considered.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, right hip condition, right knee condition, right ankle condition, and right foot condition due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The claims are reopened but further evaluation is needed.