Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his ankle and knee rheumatoid arthritis, as well as wrist conditions, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 10 percent for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is not productive of actual or functional flexion limited to 45 degrees or extension to 15 degrees, and he has been granted a separate 10 percent rating for the symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. The right wrist disability has also been rated at 10 percent. Service connection was established for low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability had its onset during active service and granted service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of a current left shoulder/arm disability to support service connection.

The Veteran's back disability is not related to service, and the appeal for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's asthma was not caused or aggravated by service, and the appeal for this condition is denied.,Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are considered to have had their onset during active duty service, and he is granted service connection for these conditions.,A right knee/leg disability is not related to service, and the appeal for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was remanded for additional development. The left knee arthritis and bilateral hearing loss cases are still pending, but the melanoma service connection issue is being addressed separately.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been dismissed. Service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as pseudofolliculitis barbae, have not been established.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various foot, ankle, knee, shoulder, and anxiety conditions due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issues have been reopened.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and right upper extremity, hypertension, and arthritis.,There is no evidence showing that any of these conditions began during active service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's partial right knee arthroplasty polyethylene exchange/revision surgery resulted in a temporary total rating for convalescence from September 14, 2016 to October 31, 2016. From January 8, 2016 to September 14, 2016, and from October 31, 2016 to August 6, 2019, the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability was rated at 100 percent due to severe painful motion or weakness. The rating is now downgraded to 30 percent effective October 1, 2020.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, heart condition, hypertension, right arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), left arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), dizziness, pain/tenderness on jaw, cheek bones and forehead (myalgia), headaches, sinusitis, non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis, PTSD with associated depression and anxiety, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, trochanteric pain syndrome of the right hip, trochanteric pain syndrome of the left hip, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle with ankle strain and calcaneal spur, left ankle strain, cervical spondylosis, lumbosacral strain, erectile dysfunction (Gulf War Syndrome), and tonsillitis have all been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, heart condition, hypertension, right arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), left arm shaking (Gulf War Syndrome), dizziness, pain/tenderness on jaw, cheek bones and forehead (myalgia), headaches, sinusitis, non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis, PTSD with associated depression and anxiety, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, trochanteric pain syndrome of the right hip, trochanteric pain syndrome of the left hip, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle with ankle strain and calcaneal spur, left ankle strain, cervical spondylosis, lumbosacral strain, erectile dysfunction (Gulf War Syndrome), and tonsillitis have all been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as bilateral knee disabilities (claimed as degenerative arthritis), based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial compensable ratings for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, tension headaches, bilateral shoulder and bilateral knee scars due to procedural issues with representation.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for a left knee disability was denied.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability and lung disorder were both denied.,Ratings for right knee arthritis with limitation of motion and instability were remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability aggravated his left knee disability and whether obesity, which may be related to his service-connected right knee disability, contributed to his left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and a lumbar spine disability, both determined to be related to service. The effective dates of these decisions are based on the date of receipt of the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims.

The Veteran's throat condition, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and lumbar spine disability are all granted. The Veteran is also awarded a 40% rating for his lumbar spine disability over the entire appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for residuals of right and left knee injuries, as well as his claim for service connection for acid reflux (also claimed as ulcers and GERD). The claims are remanded due to a lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran contends that his current disabilities were caused by in-service parachute jumps. However, the Board found no new or material evidence to support these contentions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to September 22, 2010 did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back condition and left ear hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions in prior VA examinations.,Additional VA examination or opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current back conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea versicolor and remanded the issues of right knee disability and thoracolumbar spine disability due to active duty service.