Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to the effects of his service-connected disabilities, which have resulted in a combined disability evaluation of 80 percent. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury residuals, posttraumatic stress disorder, patellofemoral syndrome (right knee), and lumbar strain were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a TBI.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, effective September 22, 2009. The rating for his right knee disability remains at 10 percent. His right ankle surgical scars are rated as compensable (10 percent) since April 14, 2014. A noncompensable rating is assigned for his left ankle disability and a 10 percent rating is assigned for his bilateral hydroceles/varicoceles.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right knee disability are service-connected as they were caused by in-service noise exposure and a pre-existing injury, respectively.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing and the need to issue statements of the case for two issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case on his claims for service connection and TDIU. The case will be returned to the Board only if he perfects his appeals.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, but determined that his current left knee disability is not related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment commensurate with his education and training background.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities, including status post ACL reconstruction and arthritis, are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board denied the claims for increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left leg disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the knees and hips, are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need to review his VA treatment records and determine if he used prosthetic or orthopedic appliances in 2012-2013 that tend to wear or tear his outer garments.

The appellant requested the withdrawal of their appeal due to new developments, and as a result, the appeal has been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and insufficient opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's initial rating for right knee disability was granted, but no compensable rating was assigned. The Board found that the Veteran's right knee had normal flexion and extension, with no limitation to warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues include seeking an increased rating for his right knee disability and service connection for a back disability secondary to his knee disabilities.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's current right knee disorder is related to her service or secondary to a service-connected disability. The examiner must provide opinions on both direct and secondary causation.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.