Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to March 12, 2013 is being remanded due to the need for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee strain with degenerative joint disease (DJD) due to lack of evidence linking his current disability to service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and surgical scars have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that a 20 percent evaluation is warranted for the torn medial meniscus of the right knee under Diagnostic Code 5258, based on symptoms including dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion.

The combined effects of the Veteran's right hand and right knee disabilities make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The evidence now shows that the Veteran's current left knee condition is related to his service-connected right knee instability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of his hearing notice. He will be scheduled for a new Travel Board hearing at his correct address.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine if her current right and left knee disabilities are related to her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed right knee disorder. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right knee, bilateral hip disorders, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been withdrawn due to the grant of TDIU back to July 16, 2011 and a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy effective April 28, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher evaluation as there is no limitation of motion to 45 degrees or less and no malunion of the tibia or fibula with more than slight knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a joint motion for remand from the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further development.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndromes have been rated at 10 percent each since August 20, 2007. Service connection for a left shoulder rotator cuff tear status post surgical repair has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders are not attributable to service, as they were not manifest during or within one year of his separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination and medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, right shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities are related to service. Service connection is granted for all three conditions.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome was granted, and a subsequent increase to 10 percent was also granted. The appeal is now remanded due to the need for additional evidence.