Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left knee conditions have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's right knee meniscal tear and remanded his claim of service connection for a personality disorder, finding that secondary service connection is not possible due to the nature of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and right knee DJD have been granted increased ratings, with the lumbar spine disorder also being granted service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability is denied, and the service connection claim for bilateral hip trochanteric tendonitis as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disability is also denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of flexion and extension, lateral instability, and painful scars, has been granted a higher rating. However, the Veteran does not meet criteria for a greater than 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion or extension at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, left arm, and lower back disabilities. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee disorders have been rated as 10 percent disabling each under Diagnostic Code 5257, but the appeal is denied due to lack of additional functional loss or instability.,The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome has been rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5260 and her right knee strain has also been rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5261. The appeal is denied due to lack of additional functional loss or instability.,The Veteran's left leg varicose veins have been rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7120, but the appeal is denied due to lack of additional functional loss or instability.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee disability, granted separate ratings of 10 percent for painful noncompensable limitation of motion from April 3, 2015 to January 24, 2019, and for limitation of extension since January 25, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for an additional VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome. The examiner is asked to assess functional loss due to pain, incoordination, weakened movement, and excess fatigability on use.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and left hip disabilities have been rated based on their current functional limitations. The appeal is remanded for further examination to determine if additional rating criteria can be applied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was dismissed. The appeals for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), diarrhea, left knee disability, headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, vitiligo, and balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) were remanded.

The Board denied a rating greater than 10 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease status post arthroscopic surgery and an initial rating greater than 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, while his obstructive sleep apnea remains at 50 percent.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his claims for increased ratings and TDIU, as these issues have been resolved by a prior rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his bilateral knee disabilities and the claim for TDIU due to lack of VA examinations. The cases are now pending with the appropriate examination.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, which required a total arthroplasty, is service-connected as it began during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and an increased evaluation for his right knee disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic right hip or knee disorder during active service, and the medical evidence did not support a finding that these disabilities were related to service.,For the period prior to June 4, 2015, the Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent. The Board found no basis for an increased evaluation as there was no evidence of limitation of motion or instability warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's current right knee condition was not incurred due to a documented in-service injury, and the Board found no link between his service and his current disability.

The Board has denied increased ratings for lumbar spine strain and bilateral knee arthritis, with the case being remanded for further examination of the knees.