Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, schedule a VA examination for his bilateral hearing loss, and consider the claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his request for a hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to August 18, 2009, was rated at 20 percent and since October 1, 2010, has been rated at 30 percent. The left knee disability, prior to January 18, 2016, was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and the claim of entitlement to TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an extraschedular rating in excess of 60 percent for right knee, status post total knee arthroplasty and TDIU.

The Board has not made a determination on the service connection claim, as it is mixed (some issues granted and others not). The Veteran's right knee disability may be related to his in-service duties or pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by degenerative joint disease and a history of meniscus tear, has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disability has been granted, with an effective date of May 28, 2008. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear of the left knee.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and remanded the hypertension claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the increased disability rating for spondylolisthesis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine prior to a decision by the Board.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for his left knee and left hip conditions, finding that there is at least a state of equipoise in the evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinion is necessary to address the Veteran's knee disabilities and their relationship to service. The appeal will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability requires the use of a brace and cream, which causes wear and tear on his clothing. The Board finds these factors sufficient to grant an annual clothing allowance for 2013.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthralgias, including complaints of pain in his bilateral knees, cervical spine, and right shoulder, were not manifested during service or for many years thereafter, and are not shown to be related to his service.

The Veteran's back, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been rated at the lowest possible initial disability ratings of 10% since January 23, 2008. The Board has determined that these ratings are appropriate based on the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee degenerative joint diseases are related to his service, granting his claims for these disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including the supracondylar right femur fracture and subsequent total knee arthroplasty, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability was found to have been manifested by left knee flexion to 90 degrees, left knee extension to 5 degrees, joint 'locking', painful motion, and swelling. The Board determined that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Veteran's left knee PFS is rated at 10 percent based on slight lateral instability, and no higher. The TDIU claim related to the left knee disability has also been granted.