Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's initial ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital on May 5, 2014 due to the absence of an emergency condition that would have placed the Veteran's health in serious jeopardy.

The Veteran's right knee instability and meniscal tear repair have been granted separate disability ratings, with the instability receiving a 10 percent rating effective January 23, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for his left knee disability and bilateral pigmentary glaucoma were denied. The Veteran was not granted any additional ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral shoulder disability, thyroid disability, neck disability, or bilateral wrist and knee disabilities. The claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a rib disability, left shoulder disability, and left knee/leg disability are denied as he does not have current disabilities. The claim for service connection for a headache disability is pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was granted, with a temporary total evaluation of 100% for one year following left knee replacement surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia of the left knee, and left ankle sprain, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence is not in equipoise and does not support a finding of service connection for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA medical opinions to address the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and its impact on his back and left knee disabilities, as well as an increased rating claim. The TDIU claim will also be remanded due to the inextricability with other claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left knee disability, left ankle disability, and left hip fracture residuals. The issues of chronic headaches, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), psychiatric disability, vertigo, back disability, and right eye cataracts were also addressed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining clarification on his service connection theory and exposure basis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of his bilateral knee disabilities, including obtaining a medical examination and reviewing all relevant records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the earliest opportunity. If he fails to appear, his pending hearing requests will be withdrawn.

The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia and infrapatellar bursitis are each rated at 10% based on their current functional limitations, with no evidence of instability or other complications.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted an increased evaluation to 80 percent effective April 24, 2013. His status post left knee total replacement with tinnitus received a grant of increased evaluation to 10 percent for tinnitus only.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease and PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left knee disability or an increased rating for PTSD.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and hypertension, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's period of active service.