Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine, right knee, left knee, left shoulder, and right hip disabilities are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by altered body mechanics related to her service-connected residuals of a stress fracture of the left inferior pubis ramus.

The Board has ordered additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and service personnel records. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a stress fracture to the right medial tibial plateau resulted in pain, 'giving out', and degenerative joint disease was objectively confirmed. Since January 13, 2014, his disability has been rated at 30 percent for malunion of the tibia and fibula with marked ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability did not manifest during or as a result of active service, and is not caused by or aggravated by her service-connected bilateral pes planus. Therefore, service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his spondylosis of the lumbar spine and patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee were denied by the Board. The Veteran was previously granted a 20% rating for spondylosis of the lumbar spine effective February 24, 2009.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected right knee instability, left knee instability and limitation of flexion, and low back strain with muscle spasm and occasional limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal, while his claim for a clothing allowance is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The case will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from the examiner who performed the September 2013 VA examination and considering private treatment records. The issues of service connection for left leg above-the-knee amputation and chest scar are intertwined.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and provide an opinion regarding the etiology of his right and left knee disabilities. The case will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on their current functional impairment. The Veteran is granted increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities, with the exception of the limitation of motion issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide further opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar strain and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee have been granted increased disability ratings, while his service connection claim for cluster headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the issuance of a Statement of the Case on all issues related to his claims, including an increased rating for athlete's foot and reopening previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not sustain an injury to his right ankle during service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between current right ankle or knee disabilities and active duty. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Buffalo, VAMC for further clarification regarding his claim of entitlement to a clothing allowance. The issue will be reconsidered in light of new medical evidence and specific identification of outer garments damaged by prescribed medications.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability compensation benefits due to incarceration, effective from October [redacted], 2012, was proper based on the applicable regulations.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent and the Board finds this rating adequately compensates his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience, as determined by the Board.