Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA vocational rehabilitation file and Social Security Administration records. The issue of two separate compensable ratings for bilateral radiculopathy from the service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has also been raised and must be addressed first.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling him for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed knee, foot, and left lower leg disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back arthritis, right and left knee disabilities, and headaches are related to her active service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and readjudication of his claims, including obtaining missing records from a previous claim filed in 1982.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthritis of multiple joints and coronary artery disease, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to September 5, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrences that could be related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee injury has not been manifested by flexion limited to 30 degrees, and does not meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for instability of the right knee remains in controversy and requires additional development, including obtaining missing medical records from Dr. J.R.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of his left knee and right inguinal hernia conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his service-connected multiple sclerosis and related urinary incontinence, have rendered him helpless as he requires regular aid and attendance due to physical disabilities such as balance issues, coordination problems, and difficulty with daily activities.

The Veteran's left knee status post partial meniscectomy is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given his symptoms of limited flexion and extension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of anatomical loss or use of both hands, blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, or deep partial thickness burns, full thickness or subdermal burns, or residuals of an inhalation injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder was not incurred in active service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The left knee disorder is also denied as there is no indication of a preexisting condition.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral knee disability that he contends started during his active service and worsened over the years. The VA examiner opined that the in-service injury was associated with current osteoarthritis, but likely due to years of construction work. However, the opinion did not address whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus aggravated his bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right forearm scar and right knee disability are related to service, with a medical nexus established. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is due to his service-connected right ankle disability and has been granted.,The Veteran's right leg disability is also due to his service-connected right ankle disability and has been granted.,For the period prior to November 2, 2012, a 50 percent rating for depressive disorder has been granted. For the period since November 2, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,A 50 percent rating for migraine headaches has been granted.,For the period prior to November 5, 2012, a 10 percent rating for asthma has been granted. For the period since November 5, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,A 30 percent rating for TMJ disorder based on limitation of motion has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 20 percent rating for TMJ disorder based on unilateral loss of whole or part of ramus involving loss of temporomandibular articulation has been granted.,A 20 percent rating for the right ankle disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the right knee disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the left knee disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,A 10 percent rating for the right carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,A 10 percent rating for the right lower extremity neuropathy has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For the period prior to December 13, 2012, a 10 percent rating for GERD has been granted. For the period since December 13, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the left ankle disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for sinusitis has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's left knee surgeries required convalescence, and the Board has granted extensions of temporary total evaluations for his disability from April 1, 2009 to August 9, 2009 and from October 1, 2009 to October 27, 2009.