Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's increased ratings for his left knee conditions, bilateral metatarsalgia, and mechanical low back strain with degenerative lumbar spondylosis have been granted. His hepatitis has also been rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of osteoarthritis of the knees was denied. For his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis of the hands and wrists, he is granted a 10% rating for each hand and wrist, but not higher.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, conducting new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, and determining whether he is unemployable due to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and left knee disability was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his request for a hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for extension of a temporary total rating beyond April 30, 2012 and service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. The right knee disorder was granted based on secondary service connection to the left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a video hearing. The issues on appeal include service connection claims and reopening of previous claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left shoulder, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining STRs, VA treatment records, and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of high cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, or left knee disorder for which service connection can be granted. The evidence shows no diagnosis or treatment related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for right knee disability must be reconsidered due to new and pertinent service records. The case is now REMANDED for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder had its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for a right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, and a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disorders is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been granted. The initial rating of 30 percent has been assigned for limitation of extension in both knees.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and a total knee replacement, is service-connected. The effective date for this connection is set to the day he met his wife in August 1968.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and additional development is needed, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records from VA and private providers.

The Board has determined that further examination is needed for the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities, as well as his bilateral hearing loss and GERD. The case will be remanded to allow for these examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Board hearing. Service connection claims for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by mild instability and painful motion with limited flexion and extension, is currently rated at 10 percent for the underlying condition. A separate 10 percent rating has been assigned for arthritis in this knee.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right, left, and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service. The claims for secondary service connection were also denied as there was no established primary service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his right knee disability and left knee disability claims, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The left knee disability was rated in excess of 20 percent prior to June 6, 2012, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.