Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling each, based on limitation of motion. The Board finds that the current ratings are adequate and no higher rating is warranted.,Service connection for a psychiatric disorder has resulted in a combined disability rating of 70 percent, which may affect her ability to work.

The Veteran's right knee disability, specifically the removal of semilunar cartilage and chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis, is rated at 10 percent. The claim for a separate rating for instability of the right knee was granted effective December 13, 2011. Service connection for left knee disability remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, and there is no evidence of muscle pain, joint pain, memory loss, sleep disorder or chronic fatigue related to his military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's visual acuity and an eye examination. The claim will be adjudicated again based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic left ankle, right ankle, tailbone, or lumbar spine disability. The service connection for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities is also denied as there is no evidence of such disabilities during active service.

The Veteran's right knee and psychiatric disabilities are service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery on the left lower extremity is granted.

The Veteran's left knee disorder and right hip strain prior to July 19, 2010 are currently rated at the lowest possible evaluation (10%) due to limited flexion. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis affecting various joints, finding that the current evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is related to her active service and the Board finds that she has established service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of right knee replacement have been increased to a 60 percent rating effective April 15, 2013. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a bilateral knee disorder, and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The issue will be remanded for further development.

The appellant is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of TDIU based on SSA disability benefits. The Board has determined that relevant SSA records need to be obtained and considered.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20% rating for his left knee osteoarthritis from September 1, 2011 to October 15, 2012 due to a reduction in evaluation that was improper.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a left knee disability, which is also secondary to his right foot disability, remains pending.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no further action can be taken on this matter.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hip, knee, and foot disabilities as well as COPD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination of the Veteran's right knee.

The Board has granted an extension of the 100% rating for a right total knee replacement to February 1, 2013.