Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining workers' compensation and employment records, as well as new VA examinations.

The Veteran is seeking higher disability ratings for his service-connected mental health and musculoskeletal conditions. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these disabilities, as well as obtaining any outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder is rated at 30 percent, the highest schedular rating available. His lumbar spondyloarthropathy status post L5 disc surgery is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Veteran's tinnitus is already assigned a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. For his right ankle arthroplasty and left knee osteoarthritis, the current ratings are 20 percent for the right ankle and 10 percent each for the left knee. His right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and knee disability were denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her right knee disability was denied as there is no evidence of instability or other conditions that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a mood disorder, is found to be related to his service-connected lower back and right hip disorders. Service connection for the remaining issues remains denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and sciatica (claimed as right hip disability) due to pending claims and potential additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claims for other conditions. The effective dates assigned were December 20, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not have a right knee disorder and his service connection claim for the right knee disorder is granted on a new and material basis. The Veteran's left knee disorder, DDD of L5-S1, and folliculitis are each rated at their current levels.

The Board has determined that additional VA examination is necessary due to the inaccuracy of the medical history provided by the Veteran, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus is denied, as there is no evidence showing a prior claim was filed. The issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran is rendered unemployable as the result of service-connected disabilities and has been granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for limitation of extension of the left knee and left knee neuroma have been granted, with a 40% rating for limitation of extension as of September 4, 2013. The Veteran is also rated at 10% for left knee neuroma.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right hand disability were granted initial ratings of 20 percent, while the iliotibial band syndrome of the left knee was found to warrant a non-compensable rating. Lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbosacral strain was not separately rated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and considering any new VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. The issue of entitlement to a temporary total evaluation due to convalescence will also be considered.

The Veteran's appeal for a separate rating for his orthopedic manifestations of the laceration of the left knee with scar was granted, and he is now rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion with pain. The Board found that his reported left knee instability is not causally related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The VA has provided all necessary notice and assistance.