Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his knee disabilities and determining if separate ratings are warranted for any meniscectomy residuals, arthritis with limitation of flexion and extension, and/or instability.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran's multiple joint arthritis and bilateral knee disability are related to service. Further development is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriatic arthritis of the left knee, status post total knee arthroplasty due to lack of new and material evidence. The decision is denied.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities did not manifest in service or within one year of service, and are not otherwise related to service.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities or sciatica of the lower extremities.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities did not manifest in service or within one year of service, and are not otherwise related to service.,After affording the benefit of the doubt, a current headache disability is related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder, primarily diagnosed as arthritis and a left meniscal injury, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding any link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for clarification of residual symptoms and current manifestation of his disability. The VA examiner must provide a rationale for the August 2013 statement regarding intermediate degrees of residual weakness, pain or limitation of motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions did not meet the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder was not shown during any period of active duty service, or any inactive duty for training. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion, and his back disability is rated at 10 percent. The appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing at the RO. His claims for increased evaluation of his low back disability and service connection for bilateral knee disability are still pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability has manifested by pain and limited motion, but with sufficient range of motion to warrant a 10 percent rating. The Veteran does not have ankylosis or other disabling conditions related to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated as non-compensable prior to December 17, 2012 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The Veteran's herpes zoster does not warrant a compensable rating.,There is no evidence of arthritis or instability in the right knee that would justify higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if her service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for right knee, left knee, and low back disorders are being remanded to obtain additional medical records.,New evidence may be submitted to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee and low back disorders.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability, including degenerative joint disease (DJD), is as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee, shoulder, and low back disorders are being remanded due to the unavailability of service treatment records. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, and right and left foot bunions have been withdrawn. The Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim that his substantive appeal was timely filed, as it was received more than 60 days after the date of actual receipt of the SOC and more than one year after the notification of the September 2008 rating decision he had intended to appeal.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome were granted, with the effective date being May 4, 2013. The Veteran was also denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that recoupment of the Veteran's separation pay is proper, but a waiver of this recoupment is not warranted due to lack of legal merit.