Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has decided the appeal is REMANDED to obtain pre-surgery treatment records and a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's post-operative left quadriceps tendon tear.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition as secondary to his service-connected chondromalacia patella of the left knee.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee arthritis is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for his right knee disability and assignment of a temporary total evaluation, finding that the current functional impairment did not warrant ratings higher than the currently assigned 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and shoulder conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis, instability, or other factors warranting a higher rating. The current 30 percent ratings are considered appropriate based on limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral patellar chondromalacia is causally related to his service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service, and the VA examiner provided medical opinions that the claimed disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disability cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim of service connection for left knee arthritis was also denied as there is no direct evidence linking the condition to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence added to the file after the January 2016 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including avascular necrosis of the left talus with secondary severe degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left ankle, migraine headaches, narcolepsy, and ACL tear of the left knee with traumatic arthritis, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including the residuals of a laceration, is being remanded due to inadequate examination and incomplete factual basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU due to inconsistencies in VA examination reports and need for further development.

The Veteran's left and right knee strains are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no additional functional loss or instability found. The current ratings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability, low back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia) in January 1985 and May 1997. The current appeal seeks to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by early mild DJD and slight instability, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist, knee, and ankle disabilities were incurred in service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was caused by service. Tinnitus was also found to be incurred in service. Service connection for lumbar spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional VA examination and treatment records, as well as to provide the Veteran with a medical opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella has been granted a 20 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision. The restoration of a 20 percent rating for his lumbar spine condition is also granted.