Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities. The combined disability rating of 70 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing due to his failure to appear at the scheduled date. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability, left ear hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee osteoarthritis is etiologically related to his service, including multiple in-service knee injuries. As a result, the appeal for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine the character of his discharge. The claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has been manifested by pain, but does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is caused by an in-service incident and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's sciatic neuritis and left knee disability have been granted increased ratings, with the sciatic neuritis receiving a maximum rating of 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying active duty periods. The VA examiners are requested to provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability status post total arthroplasty is manifested by intermediate degrees of residual weakness and pain with stiffness, swelling, effusion, and limited motion from 0 to 85 degrees of flexion and extension. The Board found that the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent were not met.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The issues of higher initial disability rating for major depressive disorder and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status are remanded.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective October 30, 2008 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee tendonitis based on limitation of motion back to the AOJ for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities did not have their onset during military service or are otherwise related to such service.

The Veteran's right lumbar radiculopathy was granted a compensable rating for the period from April 6, 2010 to November 17, 2011. The Board also found that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected, and his temporary total rating for right foot surgery has been extended through May 1, 2011. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine the relationship between his low back disability, bilateral knee/hip/disabilities, and ankle disabilities with his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic strain of the lumbosacral spine with degenerative changes of the lumbar vertebrae is rated at 10 percent, and his left knee and right knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The rating for the lumbosacral spine remains unchanged from the previous decision.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right knee disability, which he contends is related to his military service. The claim will be remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions, and the evidence does not support service connection for any of her claims.