Knee decisions — 2016

The Board found no evidence of arthritis or other knee disability during service and the Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The psychiatric disability was rated at 70 percent from March 18, 2014, forward.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or functional loss due to pain, and assigned a 30 percent rating effective July 1, 2012.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for limitation of extension and a separate 10 percent rating has been granted for instability, resulting in a combined rating of 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee chondromalacia warranted a separate 10 percent rating for instability, but denied any higher ratings based on limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting further examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, is service-connected as it resulted from his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling medical examinations, and considering new evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as patellofemoral syndrome, is related to his in-service complaints. The Board finds that the Veteran's service connection claim for this condition is granted. The initial rating claim for his left knee arthritis remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service records and VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are secondary or aggravated by her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation. The propriety of reducing the evaluation of his CAD from 60 percent to 30 percent is also addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right knee patellar chondromalacia and left knee post traumatic arthritis do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability. The case is now referred for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left knee disability and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's right knee condition, specifically patellofemoral syndrome (PFS), does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 25, 2009, from May 1, 2009 to October 4, 2010 and from December 1, 2010 to November 7, 2013 and from February 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records from a VA clinic in South Carolina. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected back and right knee disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with the lumbar spine receiving a 10% rating since March 2008 and the right knee receiving a non-compensable rating prior to June 16, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD, currently rated at 30 percent prior to November 17, 2010 and 100 percent thereafter, is granted. The effective date of the increased rating remains pending.