Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records related to the Veteran's disability benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to January 7, 2014, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss is considered 'unknown' as the appeal does not specify this issue. The Veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal ulcer (claimed as bleeding ulcers) and loss of balance from Meniere's syndrome are both granted. However, his claim for a left knee disability is not applicable as it was not raised in the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee and left foot disabilities have been granted initial compensable ratings of 10 percent each.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is characterized by pain and some limitation of flexion, warranting a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding the claim for a higher rating for epilepsy. The Board granted SMC based on need for aid and attendance (A&A) and SAH.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder, bilateral knee disability, and psychiatric disability. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's right and left knee instability have been evaluated at the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 (flexion) and 5261 (extension), respectively, due to their current functional limitations. The claims for higher ratings are denied as there is no additional disability found.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain and an increased rating for left knee arthritis due to a lack of current disability. The Veteran was provided adequate notification, all relevant evidence has been obtained, and no further development is required.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability has been reopened, but his increased rating claim for peptic ulcer disease remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has not demonstrated limitation of extension, flexion limited to 30 degrees, or ankylosis. Therefore, a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disability, back disability, and bilateral knee disability have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed left knee, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left shoulder disorders. The claims will be reviewed after these opinions are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the previous VA examination and the need for a new examination to determine if any current disabilities are related to service, including heavy lifting as an armor supply specialist and parachute jumps with the 82nd Airborne 307th Combat Engineer Battalion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of a VA examination and for obtaining updated treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for right and left knee disabilities, which are currently diagnosed.

The Veteran's atopic dermatitis and bilateral knee disabilities have been evaluated, but the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's gynecomastia is related to service and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The right knee disability claim, originally secondary to a back disability, is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examination reports.

The Veteran's appeal involves the recoupment of separation pay from his disability compensation payments. The case is being remanded for further review, including determining if any service-connected disabilities were compensable during his first period of service.

The Veteran's right knee DJD and ligament laxity have been rated at 30 percent, with no changes in the ratings for his other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including healed fractures of the bilateral tibia and fibula, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, right knee instability, and plantar fasciitis, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment as of July 23, 2011. The Board grants a TDIU starting from that date.