Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's left knee arthritis was shown to have been manifested throughout the entire one-year period prior to his March 20, 2006 claim for an increased rating. Therefore, the effective date of the award of a separate 10 percent rating for left knee arthritis is determined to be March 20, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine arthritis and left knee medial meniscus tear have been rated at the maximum available rating of 40 percent. The right knee DJD claim was granted, but no increased rating has been awarded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a vocational examination to evaluate the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the appellant's right knee disorder existed prior to his period of active duty for training in July 1966 or resulted from an injury while shoveling dirt in July 1966.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to a pre-existing injury during active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylolysis and strain with dextroscoliosis, left knee DJD with PFS, right knee DJD with PFS, allergic rhinitis, and hemorrhoids have been granted initial evaluations. The lumbar condition received a noncompensable evaluation prior to June 25, 2008, and a 10 percent evaluation from that date forward. The left and right knee conditions each received a 10 percent evaluation effective May 1, 2006. Allergic rhinitis was assigned a noncompensable evaluation, while hemorrhoids were given a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a left knee disability, back disability, or respiratory disorder that was incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's STRs show treatment for knee problems during service but no ongoing symptoms post-service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee patellofemoral syndrome, status post meniscectomy with degenerative joint disease was denied. The issues on appeal include entitlement to TDIU and service connection claims.

The Board has granted DIC under section 1310 and dismissed the claim of entitlement to DIC under section 1318 due to the grant of service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision. The remaining claims of service connection for a respiratory disorder, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine disorder, left knee disorder, and left wrist posttraumatic arthritic changes. The initial rating of 10 percent for the left wrist disability is maintained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his claim for a general disorder of the joints and muscles. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen his left knee disability claim, but denied all other claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee and right hip disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active or inactive service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

Service connection has been granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee condition, which is currently considered as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and lung cancer with metastases to the brain are denied as they were not pending at the time of the Veteran's death, making them ineligible for accrued benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia and denied service connection for ulcers. The claims of service connection for arthritis of the hands, knees, and back are remanded due to insufficient evidence.