Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for chronic back strain with DDD and DJD of the right knee were denied. The Board found that prior to July 7, 2015, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic back strain with DDD. Effective from July 7, 2015, the Veteran's condition was rated as 20 percent disabling. The claim for DJD of the right knee was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current back disability was caused or aggravated by his active service. The left knee disability claims are also denied, with no specific rating assigned due to lack of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in previous decisions.

The Veteran's appeal involves increased ratings for PTSD and right knee degenerative changes. The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records, particularly from a private provider who has treated his PTSD, and any ongoing VA treatment records related to his knees.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability, heart disability, and right knee disability. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also denied. As to TDIU, the evidence does not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right knee chondromalacia, limitation of flexion, and instability are pending. The Board has remanded the issues to consider new evidence and additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his right knee, right foot, and right ankle disabilities, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants the TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of information regarding the Veteran's service separation examination report.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's current right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disorders are causally related to in-service occurrences as a parachute jumper. The Board finds service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection, temporary total rating, and right shoulder disability are also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability and low back disability.

The Veteran's right hip disability is related to service and granted. Other claims for service connection, TDIU, and increased ratings are addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss and wrist/knee disorders, were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology. The Board found that the Veteran did not have current diagnoses for some of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of her preferred hearing type and scheduling a new hearing.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a temporary total rating for convalescence due to left knee surgery from August 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, right and left ankle, and bilateral knee disorders are related to his military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to his in-service parachute jumps.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion on the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus. The other issues are also being remanded.