Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to pending issues and requests for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability, including its impact on daily activities and during flare-ups. The current rating remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary and the case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, Social Security Administration records, and private treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disorders will be reconsidered after this additional evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for an updated VA examination to assess his service-connected bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a right knee disorder. The claims will now be considered on their merits.

The Board has granted separate 10 percent ratings for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, status post meniscus repair, in place of the single 10 percent rating currently in effect.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee chondromalacia, left knee chondromalacia, and lumbosacral strain were denied as the evidence did not show that any of these conditions warranted a rating in excess of their current assigned percentages.,VA examinations consistently showed that the Veteran’s range of motion was within normal limits for his service-connected right and left knees, with no instability or subluxation noted. His lumbosacral strain also met criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Board found no causal relationship between the Veteran's in-service injury and her current hip disability, thus denying service connection for bilateral hip bursitis.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only was denied. The Board granted the Veteran's special monthly compensation based on need for aid & attendance/housebound status, as he requires assistance in protecting himself from environmental hazards due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder, right knee, and left knee. The Veteran's current diagnoses align with his reported symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to September 1, 2010, did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent. Since November 1, 2011, his disability has been rated at 30 percent due to residual weakness and pain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher evaluations or additional benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthralgia is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder is secondary to his service-connected Morton's neuroma of the right foot. The Board also found that there is no evidence of a current right or left knee disorder, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is currently rated at the maximum schedular level of 50 percent, effective September 27, 2012. The right knee disability was also granted a higher evaluation to 20 percent effective October 2, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hemorrhoids, right knee chondromalacia, and loss of strength in his hands are related to service. However, chronic fatigue syndrome was not found during the appeal period.

The Veteran's post-operative residuals, torn medial meniscus, right knee was rated 20 percent for more than five years and reduced to 0 percent effective December 1, 2009. The RO recharacterized the right knee disability as status post right knee arthroplasty (previously rated as degenerative joint disease, right knee) and increased the rating to 100 percent effective February 27, 2013, with a rating of 30 percent assigned from April 1, 2014.,The Veteran's post-operative residuals, torn medial meniscus, right knee was restored to a disability rating of 20 percent for the period from December 1, 2009, to February 27, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with increased ratings for various disabilities and a TDIU. The effective dates are not specified.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review it.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected osteoarthritis, left knee, and total left knee replacement. The low back disability claim remains pending as an addendum opinion is needed.