Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video-conference hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for knee disabilities and eczema, as well as an increased rating for hypertension, are now pending before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee arthritis with limitation of flexion and residuals of a total knee arthroplasty, as well as his claim for TDIU on a schedular basis prior to March 1, 2014, were denied by the Board.

The Board has granted a rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's degenerative spurring of the right knee, effective October 1, 2004. Additionally, the Board has granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for right knee subluxation.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee retropatellar pain syndrome has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's right and left knee disorders are not currently considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of his VA Form 9 hearing request, and he has requested a rescheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ for this purpose.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since December 16, 2004 and in excess of 70 percent from August 22, 2006 through September 15, 2014.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened for service connection due to new and material evidence.

The Board is remanding the case for a new VA examination to consider all of the Veteran's in-service injuries and his lay statements, including those from the February 2016 hearing testimony. The examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not that any current right or left knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis, is etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for a new examination and consideration of updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by severe weakness and instability requiring constant use of a brace and cane, is rated at 60 percent under the criteria for status post total knee replacement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for right ear hearing loss, a psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), or any neck disability. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for MALT lymphoma/non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, TMJ dysfunction, bilateral knee disorders, HTN, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board will review this evidence and readjudicate his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral shoulder, hand, and knee disabilities were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's back, bilateral hip, left knee and right knee disorders are service-connected as they are at least in equipoise with respect to their onset during service.,The VA physician provided a positive opinion linking the Veteran's current right knee disorder to his service as a paratrooper.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, worker's compensation records, and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability. The issues of service connection and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability, is rated at 20 percent effective March 23, 2012. The respiratory disorder claim remains pending.