Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected fractured right femur and associated hip and knee disabilities have been evaluated at 20% since June 14, 2011. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation for the period prior to that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The issues of increased evaluations for PTSD and left knee disability are also pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the case can be decided. This includes obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's left knee and left ankle disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left foot, and left ankle disorders are not related to his military service. The COPD claim is also denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and adjustment disorder. The Board also found that the Veteran's right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the knees was incurred in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral shoulder condition, and right knee condition. These conditions are deemed to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at the lowest possible rating of 10 percent each, as they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations. The evidence shows that both knees have limited motion with pain on movement, but no additional limitation due to fatigue, weakness, lack of endurance, or incoordination after repetitive use.

The Veteran's left knee disability is found to be etiologically related to his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining his service personnel records and scheduling him for an audiological examination to determine the severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee degenerative changes are likely due to injuries sustained during service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen and find that he has a bilateral knee disability as a result of his active duty service, granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the reduction from a 30 percent rating to a 10 percent rating for both left and right knee disabilities was proper based on evidence showing no compensable limitation of motion or other findings warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for additional medical examinations. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee, left ankle disabilities, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right hip disorder are pending.

The Veteran's claims for right and left knee conditions, right and left hallux limitus, and bilateral pes planus have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities. The Veteran had a pre-existing condition (pes planus) noted at entry into service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and development of his TDIU claim.

The Board finds that service connection for a left wrist sprain is granted.,Regarding the right wrist and knee disabilities, the Veteran's claim will be remanded to obtain an examination and medical nexus opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to provide a comprehensive VA orthopedic examination. The appeal will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for folliculitis and denied service connection for a carbuncle. The Veteran's claim for bilateral knee disability is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 30 percent disabling since March 1, 2010. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 100 percent rating are met due to total occupational and social impairment caused by PTSD.