Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, and the Board has granted a remand to schedule a videoconference hearing at the RO.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for updated VA treatment records and other relevant medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for PTSD, depressive disorder, left knee disability, and TDIU. The decision also addressed the issue of a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further examination and development due to the inadequacy of the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a video conference hearing at the most convenient location for him.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability. The claim for temporary total disability benefits based on left knee surgery necessitating convalescence under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, hallux valgus, and lower back disorders are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence indicates these conditions were not manifest in service or within one year of separation.

The Board has determined that the original grant of service connection for left knee patella dislocation was based on incorrect facts and therefore, the award is being severed.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and depression. The Veteran is entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent for his degenerative joint disease of the right knee and an initial rating of 50 percent or higher for his depression since June 30, 2011.

The Veteran's combined rating of 70 percent for service-connected disabilities from June 1, 2004 to March 10, 2005 and 90 percent thereafter meets the threshold requirements for a TDIU. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he passed away during its pendency.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 20 percent for the service-connected residuals of right knee trauma and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, effective from April 14, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the extent and severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding no competent medical evidence of current diagnoses or a link to military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder was not manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to March 27, 2013.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's service-connected left tibia-fibular fracture is manifested by malunion of the tibia and fibula at any time during the appellate period.

The Veteran's right knee scar, which was painful and superficial prior to December 30, 2008, is rated at 10 percent effective from that date.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disorder, finding no current diagnosis and attributing any symptoms to his right below-knee amputation.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's right hip pain is due to myoligamentous strain related to service-connected lumbar spine and knee disabilities. The left knee disability has resulted in painful motion throughout the period on appeal but not limitation of flexion to fewer than 95 degrees, limitation of extension to greater than 3 degrees, frequent episodes of effusion, or more than slight instability.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for an increased rating for left knee disability and service connection for frostbite of the feet. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule a VA examination, and issue a supplemental statement of the case.