Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's Morton's neuroma of the left foot is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 5279.,The Veteran’s osteoarthritis of the left knee status post surgery is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted as his flexion did not reach 60 degrees or less.,The Veteran's recurrent patellar subluxation and torn meniscus of the left knee are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot disability, and sleep apnea.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The right and left knee conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, a bilateral knee condition, a bilateral leg condition, sleep apnea, and a liver condition (secondary to pain medication for a bilateral knee condition). The claims for a bilateral upper extremity condition are also remanded. Additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran’s complete service personnel records.

The Veteran's PTSD with history of insomnia is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for left knee patellofemoral syndrome is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis, and she is requested to provide updated treatment records. The Veteran's left knee disability, hysterectomy residuals, and surgical scar are not granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded two issues: one regarding the right knee and another for degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Veteran's records from Brooke Army Medical Center and San Antonio Military Medical Center need to be obtained, as well as updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and painful scars, is rated at 20 percent effective April 23, 2014. The rating for limitation of extension remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is rated at 10 percent, which is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s bilateral hip disabilities are rated at 10 percent prior to October 6, 2016 and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating after that date.,The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent prior to April 13, 2015 and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating thereafter.,All three conditions (DDD of the lumbar spine, bilateral hip disabilities, and right knee disability) are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss, gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, fatigue, multi-joint and muscle pain, low back disorder, neurological disorders of the bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral knee disorder have all been denied.,The Board found that there was no evidence linking any of these conditions to service or qualifying Persian Gulf Service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition has been reopened, and the rating of 10 percent for left knee subluxation has been restored. The appeal regarding sleep apnea is denied as it is not related to service or a service-connected disability. Service connection for left hip, left ankle, and right ankle conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's left hand disability is granted a 10% rating from February 8, 2018. The low back and neck disabilities are denied ratings in excess of 10%. The left knee and right ankle disabilities are also denied ratings in excess of 10%.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and right knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or a link between his active service and these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations of her bilateral knees and hips. The examinations should be conducted during a flare-up if possible.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and his claims for increased disability ratings are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions of degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left knee DJD, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and major depressive disorder. The grants are based on these conditions being proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected as it pre-existed service and did not worsen during service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service-connected as it is at least as likely as not related to complaints of chronic back pain during service.

The Veteran's joint pain is not attributable to service.,There is no current diagnosis of leg cramps related to military training.

The Veteran's request to reopen the finally disallowed claims of entitlement to service connection for stomach condition and right knee disability has been granted. The claim for right ankle disability is still pending.,The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before deciding the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a stomach condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriatic arthritis is granted with an effective date of June 11, 2008. The Board also found that the earlier claim for a skin rash inherently included a claim for psoriatic arthritis.