Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing and further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee arthritis is service connected as it was shown in service and not clearly attributable to intercurrent cause.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and right knee disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence indicated that these conditions pre-existed service and were not aggravated during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and clarifying whether the appellant continues to receive treatment at Madigan Army Medical Center.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to military service or due to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work, and for consideration of extraschedular TDIU criteria.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for right knee status post-surgical repair is granted, but he is only awarded the maximum schedular rating of 10% due to his service-connected meniscal tear. From March 17, 2014, he receives an additional 10% rating for arthritis associated with his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an effective date were denied. The Board found that new evidence was not received to reopen his right wrist disorder claim, and the service-connected conditions of the knee did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or separate effective dates.

The Veteran's disability is currently rated at 30 percent for comminuted fracture of the right femur with right knee and right hip disability, with shortening of right leg and surgical scar. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no indication of ankylosis or severe instability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to clarify the nature of the Veteran's right knee disability and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining all records associated with his total left knee arthroplasty and applying the appropriate rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records and private treatment records related to the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is not causally or etiologically related to his period of active service, and denied the claim.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for assignment of a TDIU and has been reasonably shown not to be able to engage in substantial gainful employment due to his combination of service-connected disabilities, considered in conjunction with his education level and prior work experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability warrants a rating of 60 percent effective April 16, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left ankle disability. The claims will be readjudicated after this additional development.