Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's postoperative residuals of right and left knee patellofemoral syndromes with malalignment are not manifested by the required limitations to warrant a compensable evaluation.,VA has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent from August 12, 2010 for degenerative arthritis with noncompensable limited flexion. He was granted a separate rating of 30 percent for limited extension of the left knee effective August 11, 2014. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were reopened but not yet decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a right knee disability was not supported by new and material evidence, leading to its denial. The left knee chronic tendinitis claim is also denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, primarily manifested by degenerative joint disease with pain on motion and limited range of motion, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding an increased rating for service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disability other than dysthymia, right knee disability, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran was found not to have PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder separate from his service-connected dysthymia. Right knee arthritis is presumed to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, have been denied. The Veteran was not provided with new and material evidence to reopen his left knee disorder claim.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and there is no evidence of unemployability due to his service-connected conditions on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is rated at 10% due to painful motion and instability, while her left leg shin splints do not meet the criteria for a separate rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected right knee and hip disabilities, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all remaining issues, including those related to service connection and rating determinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his service-connected right knee disability and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of whether the Veteran's right shoulder disabilities are secondary to in-service activities remains under consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination and requests that an addendum be provided.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for the Veteran's right knee arthritis accompanied by painful motion, in addition to the current 10 percent rating for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disease, including residuals of a stroke and kidney failure, as well as bilateral below-the-knee amputations due to ischemia caused by heart disease.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, which meets the percentage requirements for a TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following all substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is manifested by pain on use and flexion limited to no less than 130 degrees. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating, but no greater, for his right knee patellofemoral syndrome for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.