Knee decisions — 2015

The Board found that there was material improvement in the Veteran's knee instability, leading to a reduction from 20% to 10% ratings for arthritis of both knees. The effective date is July 1, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by instability and limited motion, was rated at 20 percent prior to August 1, 2014. From that date, the rating was increased to 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are at least as likely as not incurred during his active duty service, granting entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and is still considering the issue of service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the appellant's current bilateral knee disorder is related to an injury during ACDUTRA. The claim will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of his claims, including those related to hearing loss, shoulder injury, knee instability, and limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for scoliosis was reopened based on new evidence, but the current disability is not established. The varicose veins of the left lower extremity are rated at 10 percent, which meets the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found that the residuals of left knee lateral meniscectomy have been manifested by swelling, meniscus derangement, 'giving way,' mild instability, and a well-healed residual surgical scar. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left knee lateral meniscectomy have not been met or more nearly approximated for the entire rating period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a hearing, and no rating decision or effective date was provided.

The Veteran's right knee DJD has been rated as 10 percent disabling since May 23, 2014. Prior to that date, he was not entitled to a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, scheduling a cervical spine examination, and providing an addendum to the November 2012 VA examiner's opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his service, specifically the injury he sustained during ACDUTRA in September 1985. The Board concluded that there was no nexus between the current disability and any incident in service.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA standards. The Veteran's puretone thresholds have never met the criteria for a disability during this appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are not caused or aggravated by service-connected disease or injury, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal of the evaluation for his left knee amputation was withdrawn prior to a decision. The case is being remanded for further development regarding service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic low back disorder in service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. For his bilateral knee disabilities, the Board determined that there was insufficient continuity of symptomatology to establish service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an injury to the cervical spine and residuals of injuries to the left and right hips, legs, and left knee. The examiner concluded that any current disabilities are not related to service.,The Veteran has a diagnosed condition of spastic diplegia (hereditary spastic diplegia), which is considered a congenital or hereditary disease.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of both the right and left knees, finding that the Veteran's current knee disabilities are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including scheduling an examination and obtaining service treatment records.