Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to issue a Statement of the Case on several issues.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions (left knee injury and depression) have not resulted in the required criteria for a temporary total evaluation based on treatment.

The Board has found that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee had its onset in service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss is addressed separately.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, possible migraine type, was reopened based on the submission of new and material evidence. However, his initial rating request for left knee arthritis prior to April 1, 2014 remains denied as there is no evidence showing that the current condition is related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's postoperative left knee injury with degenerative changes is manifested by impairment approximating nonunion of the tibia and fibula with loose motion, requiring a brace. The criteria for a 40 percent rating have been met.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle, shoulder, left knee, and back conditions are found to be related to service.,The Veteran's right knee condition is also found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to conflicting medical evidence regarding his left hip and left knee conditions, as well as missing VA examination reports. The Veteran will be afforded a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his complaints.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for her right knee disorder and service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that her right knee disability did not warrant a higher rating and that there was no evidence of a left knee disorder related to her service-connected right knee condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a left eye disability and stomach disability have been reopened, but the evidence does not support reopening these claims.,Service connection has not been established for right or left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected asthma has been rated at 60 percent, and she meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is about the propriety of initial noncompensable ratings for tension headaches and right knee strain, as well as service connection for these conditions. The RO granted service connection but assigned initial noncompensable ratings.

The Board has remanded the case to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability claim was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his service.,PTSD ratings were granted at 30% prior to March 11, 2010 and increased to 50% thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the precise nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral knee disabilities and skin disability.