Knee decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total disability rating due to treatment for his service-connected left knee disability, finding no evidence of severe postoperative residuals warranting such an extension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The issues of bilateral eye disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability were not addressed as they are moot due to a grant of service connection in another decision.

The Veteran's facial scarring, depression, varicose veins of the lower extremities, and bilateral knee disabilities are all found to be related to her service. The right wrist disability is also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's muscle injury due to left thigh gunshot wound with compound fracture of femur warrants a 40 percent evaluation, and his degenerative joint disease of the left knee does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and a VA examination. The Veteran's right knee disability will be evaluated again based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to address his gastrointestinal disorder and right knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, but remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether his current condition is related to his service-connected disabilities or onset within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a bilateral knee disorder have been denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his period of honorable active service from August 12, 1980 to January 14, 1990.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when taken in conjunction with his education and occupational experience, are insufficient to preclude his participation in all forms of substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The appellant's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a separate compensable evaluation for right knee subluxation. The Veteran's chondromalacia of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to address direct and secondary service connection (causation and aggravation) of the Veteran's right knee and bilateral hip disabilities, considering both left and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA examination reports and private medical records, the preponderance of the competent and credible evidence does not show that the Veteran's current back or left knee disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee condition is not causally or etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, back disability (including arthritis), left knee disability (including arthritis), and right knee disability (including arthritis) were denied. Service connection was granted for coronary artery disease with a 60% rating, PTSD with a 50% rating, diabetes mellitus type II with a 20% rating, and chest scar with a 10% rating from April 24, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral chondromalacia of the knees, as the submitted evidence is cumulative or redundant.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information from the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, lumbar spine, left hand neurological, and right hand neurological disorders were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.