Knee Board decisions

The Board has restored service connection for right foot strain and granted service connection for right ankle peroneus brevis and longus tenosynovitis (sinus tarsi syndrome), as well as service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, all found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed for the Veteran's service-connected pain disorder with depression, right knee DJD, cervical spine disability, and migraine headaches with vertigo. The claims of service connection for left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and PTSD have also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to issues with the rating decisions for left and right knee subluxation, as well as the TDIU. The claims on appeal are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, arm (elbow) and knee disorders are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran contends these conditions are related to cold exposure during military service in Alaska.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disability was granted.

The Veteran's mechanical low back strain, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, and right hip piriformis syndrome are all rated at their maximum allowable levels.

The Veteran's left knee instability prior to November 6, 2017 is rated at 10 percent. From that date forward, his left knee instability is rated as 20 percent disabling. His right and left knee strains are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for his knee conditions and low back disability need to be remanded due to the Veteran being incarcerated.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis, chronic lumbar strain, left knee sprain, right knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral ankle strain, and generalized anxiety disorder. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2014 due to use of a motorized wheelchair (a Permobil Power Wheelchair) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if his wheelchair tends to wear or tear his clothing.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, right foot, tinnitus, and right sciatic nerve disabilities. The Veteran's current disabilities were not found to be related to service or due to exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of residuals of a right knee injury and fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee injury. The first issue is an increased evaluation for residuals of left knee injury, currently rated at 30 percent. The second issue is a request for an initial increase in disability rating for limitation of extension of the left knee prior to October 16, 2017, and 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's laceration and tendon injury of the index and middle fingers, right (major) hand is not rated higher than 10 percent prior to March 7, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.,The Veteran's left knee injury is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The Veteran's claims include service connection for a back disability as secondary to his left knee disability, and rating issues for his right and left knees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with anxiety. The Veteran is entitled to new VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability is reopened. The Board finds that the evidence received since the January 2010 rating decision is new and material, thus reopening the claim. However, the issues regarding the rating for left knee disability and PTSD are still pending as they require further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA examination reports and medical records to assess the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disability, bilateral hip disability, altered gait (left leg being shorter than right leg), bilateral polyneuropathy of the lower extremities, atrophy of the left thigh and calf with weakness, and venous embolism. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.