Knee Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals of four issues related to service connection for various ankle, ring finger, foot, and knee disabilities due to the Veteran's election into the modernized review system.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability, finding that there was no showing of compensable loss of range of motion or ankylosis. The already assigned 10 percent rating is based on painful motion.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for higher initial ratings of patellofemoral pain syndrome of both knees, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and cervical strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right tibial tubercle disability due to inadequate medical opinions and need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee is rated at 10 percent for limited extension, and a separate rating of 10 percent is granted for left knee instability. The ratings for right knee flexion are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of evidence addressing the Veteran's exposure to noise during service.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from April 1, 2010 to April 26, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and left ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a direct or secondary relationship to service. The Veteran's current conditions have been attributed to post-service injuries, including a motorcycle accident in 1992 and a slip on stairs injury in 2007.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as they are moot due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and further review is needed.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the evidence did not show he is unemployable as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss of the right ear, bilateral knee disorder, and low back disorder due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence of a higher rating based on limitation of motion or IVDS.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence of a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's initial increased disability ratings for right hip bursitis and impairment of the right thigh associated with bursitis of the right hip are denied prior to March 17, 2014.,The Veteran's initial increased disability rating for right knee retropatellar pain syndrome is denied prior to March 17, 2014. The maximum schedular rating authorized under applicable criteria has been assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle, left knee, and low back disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's bowel incontinence is granted as secondary to her service-connected back disability. The left and right knee disabilities are denied, with the Board finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or chronic disability within one year after separation from service. Asthma is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including post-surgery meniscectomy and osteoarthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there was no limitation of motion sufficient to warrant an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

For the entire period on appeal, an initial evaluation of 50 percent for a headache disorder is granted.,Prior to May 14, 2016, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left shoulder disability is denied. From May 14, 2016, an evaluation of 20 percent, but no higher, for the same condition is granted.,For the entire period on appeal, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a thoracolumbar spine disability is denied. Prior to July 24, 2019, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with the Veteran’s service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is granted.,For the period on appeal prior to July 24, 2019, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability is denied. From July 24, 2019, an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the same condition is remanded.

The Veteran's DMII does not require regulation of activities, and his lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to May 8, 2019, and 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran’s right shoulder, cervical spine, right knee, and right foot disabilities are all rated at the maximum allowable under their respective diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's fecal leakage and chronic nerve problems were not found to be service-connected.