Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the failure of the AMC to reissue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) at his current address of record and for further action on the claim for an initial compensable rating for endocarditis.

The Veteran's right knee disability, currently diagnosed as status post total knee replacement for degenerative joint disease of the right knee joint, is granted service connection on a direct basis due to progression of his pre-service arthritis.

The Veteran's right foot disability, specifically osteoarthritis of the first and second metatarsophalangeal joints, is rated at 20 percent disabling. The decision also granted service connection for mild spondylolisthesis L5-S1 (claimed as low back condition) and osteoarthritis of the left knee.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an eye disorder has been withdrawn. The Board finds no evidence of a current hearing loss disability under VA guidelines, thus denying the claim for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for tinnitus as it was incurred during active duty and continues to persist.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional service treatment records, verify dates of active duty and inactive duty training (IDT), and schedule a VA examination for his claimed cervical spine and right hand disabilities. The issue of PTSD will also be addressed in the statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that the conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the appellant for a VA examination to assess his current right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of degenerative joint disease of the left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine disorder as secondary to his service-connected bilateral metatarsalgia, status-post osteotomies.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral chondromalacia patella of the knees is being remanded due to incomplete development and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, with limitation of flexion to at least 45 degrees and no significant extension or instability issues, warrants a 10 percent rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The current rating is appropriate given the clinical findings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability and to ensure compliance with the terms of the Joint Motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's disabilities, in combination, are of sufficient severity to permanently preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his age, education, and occupation experience. Therefore, he is entitled to non-service-connected disability pension benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of bilateral knees and an increased rating for DDD of lumbar spine. The claim for higher initial ratings for radiculopathy in lower extremities is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee conditions are service-connected, with no new evidence provided to reopen these claims. The initial ratings for both conditions remain at 10%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his right and left knee disabilities, are related to injuries sustained during active service. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate follow-up of prior directives and incomplete opinions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left knee conditions, including patellar tendonitis and chondromalacia, are related to his service. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's left and right knee chondromalacia disabilities are rated at 20 percent each, resulting in a combined rating of 40 percent. The claims for increased evaluations have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee meniscectomy residuals and osteoarthritis were denied as the evidence did not show additional functional loss due to pain or other forms of functional loss, and his current disability levels are already at their highest possible rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions considering his reports of intermittent knee pain since service.