Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has declined to adjudicate the issue of entitlement to a TDIU, and now remands it for further development including a VA examination.

The Board has jurisdiction over the timely and adequately appealed issues regarding service connection for various conditions, including PTSD. The Veteran's appeal as to a respiratory disability is dismissed due to lack of justiciable case or controversy.

The Veteran's left knee musculoligamentous strain is productive of painful motion with flexion to 120 degrees and extension to 0 degrees, but does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee, status post surgery for ACL repair with residual scars was denied by the RO. The Board has now remanded the case to obtain additional evidence and conduct a new VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease, status post total knee replacement, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating since September 1, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and are not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 15, 2008. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a current diagnosis of left knee arthritis and a medial meniscus tear, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are continuous since his June 1979 period of active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypothyroidism, lumbar spine disability (secondary to service connected bilateral knee disorders), hypertension secondary to PTSD with depression, and an effective date earlier than November 12, 2008 for the grant of an increased rating for PTSD. The claim for a higher rating for PTSD with depression was denied from August 20, 2011 onwards. The Veteran's right knee synovitis and scars residual to gunshot wound of abdomen were not rated higher than their current levels.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine the etiology of any right foot disability as well as the severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, skin conditions of the feet, patellofemoral syndrome of the knees, and left shoulder disability. The Veteran's PTSD was evaluated as 50 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his right leg condition, including hip and knee issues, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with a 50% disability evaluation assigned for total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy residuals. The effective date of this award is April 3, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and issuance of a statement of the case on all issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The claims will be readjudicated based on the evidence received.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an increased rating for right knee instability. The claim for TDIU was also denied as the Veteran is not rendered unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current right knee disability and an injury in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as a psychiatric disability. The decision was based on lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.