Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for left hip disability, right hip disability (secondary to left hip), pelvic girdle muscle weakness (secondary to left hip), low back disability (secondary to left hip), left knee disability (secondary to left hip), and acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to left hip).,All claims were denied as the Veteran's preexisting left hip disability did not undergo an increase in severity beyond natural progression by an injury sustained during a period of active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee degenerative joint disease due to inadequate medical examination.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for left knee instability/subluxation and right knee instability/subluxation since May 9, 2017. The Veteran's right plantar fasciitis continues to be rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for TDIU, left calcaneal exostosis, and bilateral knee strain due to new evidence added to the record since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The AOJ is instructed to obtain updated TDIU forms from the Veteran, request his tax returns, and schedule VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically limited flexion and moderate instability, are now rated at 20 percent effective from November 23, 2013. The previous ratings for the period on appeal were 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, finding that it may be presumed related to his active duty service. The left-hand condition claim was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, left ear hearing loss, and cold weather injury residuals (hands). The Veteran's right knee condition is not related to his in-service fracture. His left ear hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for a disability. Cold weather injuries are suspected but need further examination.,The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, as well as cold weather injury residuals (hands).

The Board has denied service connection for right arm and hand numbness, left knee disability, and blurred vision, left eye due to lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or are otherwise related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a digestive tract disorder. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of chronic right or left knee problems during active service or within one year after separation from National Guard duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to insufficient examination reports and the need for further medical evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for allergic rhinitis, right quadriceps disability, and bilateral knee disability due to incomplete information from previous VA examinations. The Veteran needs to be provided with a new examination in spring or summer to assess his allergic rhinitis severity, an addendum opinion is needed regarding whether his right quadriceps disability is related to service, and another addendum opinion is required for the bilateral knee disability.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including back pain, right and left knee issues, left ankle problems, right ankle issues, and hypertension. The Veteran's claims are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The VA needs to conduct a new examination that complies with the requirements of Correia, Sharp, and the previous Board remands.

For the period from December 11, 2014, to September 28, 2017, a 10% rating for left knee instability associated with patellofemoral syndrome is granted.,For the period from September 28, 2017, onward, an increased rating in excess of 10% for left knee disability featuring painful motion and functional loss is denied. For the period prior to August 14, 2018, a 20% rating for right shoulder supraspinatus tear and tendinosis with superior labral degenerative disease (previously characterized as myositis, right trapezius muscle) is granted; from August 14, 2018, onward, an increased rating in excess of 20% is denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral ankle disorders, bilateral knee disorders, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right knee conditions are granted service connection. The cases of basal cell carcinoma, left knee disorder, and right shoulder or trapezius disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and a right knee disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The claims include headaches, lower back issues, knee problems, and ankle/foot conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic knee injury in service and noting that any post-service complaints are not related to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's total right knee replacement is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA guidelines. The Board found that the evidence does not show severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity to warrant a higher evaluation.