Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support the claim.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for his service-connected disabilities of the right shoulder, left shoulder, right wrist, and right knee have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his knee condition has been granted, with a current rating of 20 percent.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee limitation of motion, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are adequately addressed by the current 10% rating under DC 5260.

The Board found that the evidence does not support service connection for a right knee disability as it is not related to military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, as there is no medical evidence linking current knee conditions to service. The Veteran's reported symptoms and injuries are not supported by contemporaneous records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background, warranting a TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities, including degenerative joint disease, were not related to his service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis of the knees, but denied service connection for a cardiac disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses are in equipoise with respect to whether they are aggravated by his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues on appeal include increased evaluations for knee conditions and service connection for a right hand fracture, among others.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded a second opportunity to attend a VA examination due to her absence from the previous one. Additionally, all outstanding treatment notes from the Dublin VAMC and Atlanta VAMC are requested.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the receipt of additional relevant treatment evidence and the need for a VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 25, 2008. He is granted a TDIU based solely on his PTSD and also qualifies for SMC at the housebound rate effective December 25, 2008.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral avascular necrosis of the hips, and bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be related to her in-service injuries and subsequent treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a right shoulder disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease based on continuity of symptoms since service separation. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for his left shoulder strain is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 17, 2009, for the resumption of payment of disability compensation following a period of active duty is denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a formal or informal claim to reinstate his benefits prior to 2010 and thus the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability or chronic back disability related to service. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease has been evaluated at a 10 percent rating since the grant of service connection. The current evaluation is appropriate as his range of motion does not meet criteria for higher ratings due to limitation of flexion or extension.