Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, diagnosed as strain and degenerative joint disease, is related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to make him unemployable, and the Board grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left leg disabilities, including arthritis of the left knee and associated meniscal issues, were not incurred in service. The evidence does not show chronic symptoms during service or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for left and right knee disabilities prior to February 22, 2013 are denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5260.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiner and the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has ordered a VA examination due to the Veteran's failure to report for an initial one. The case is now being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, claimed as residuals of a right knee strain, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral metatarsalgia of the feet and hearing loss were not addressed. The Board denied reopening his claims for right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claims for service connection for right and left shin splints.

The Veteran's current knee and ankle conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed knee and ankle disorders are not related to his active service, as there is no medical evidence showing such conditions during or immediately following service. The VA examiner opined that the current disabilities were less likely due to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a pinched sciatic nerve, right knee disability, left leg disability and left knee disability have been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has also been withdrawn.

The Veteran's major depression with psychotic features, type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are presumed to be related to his service in the Republic of Vietnam. The left knee disability is not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disorder and hypertension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is manifested by painful motion, but no compensable limitation of flexion or extension. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the evidence does not demonstrate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus was denied in a February 2005 rating decision. The RO did not receive a timely substantive appeal with respect to this issue, and thus the decision became final.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects pain and functional limitations but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the period of her claim.,Regarding the right knee, while the Veteran reported symptoms following an in-service fall, the VA examination did not find any diagnosed condition. The Board finds that the April 2014 VA examination report does not substantially comply with the February 2014 remand directives.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence. However, the issue of whether service connection should be granted is still under consideration.