Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, migraine headaches, thoracolumbar spine disability, and other conditions, render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU from January 12, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee injury residuals was granted, effective February 10, 2004.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 24, 2008 for a 60 percent rating for his right knee disability status-post total knee replacement.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Board finds that osteoarthritis of the right knee is related to service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease, and grants the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and right knee disability. The low back disability claim was denied as not having had its onset in service or being otherwise related to service. Service connection is also denied for left knee disability and bilateral hip disability.

The Veteran's left knee condition and instability have been rated at 20 percent since April 17, 2014. The Board has granted a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the Veteran's complaints of worsening knee pain and requests for increased ratings. The case is being remanded to schedule a VA examination to assess the current severity of her left and right knee chondromalacia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left knee disorder related to his military service and does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is found to be etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from FCI Butner, USP Terre Haute, and USP Lewisburg, as well as any court documents related to a civil claim filed in 1986 or 1987. The claims will be reconsidered after these developments.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by limitation of motion and instability, has been rated at 30 percent since February 10, 2014. The right knee disability, characterized by limitation of extension only, remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's right knee limitation of flexion is currently rated at 10 percent, and he meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a low back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The preponderance of evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee condition did not have its onset in service or within one year of separation, and is not related to his period of active service. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis was initially rated and the RO granted service connection for status post total left and right knee arthroplasty. The RO increased his ratings to 60 percent effective October 23, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to December 15, 2006.

For the entire period of appeal, the left knee arthritis is manifested by pain, flexion limited to 120 degrees with pain at 80 degrees, and a meniscus tear with frequent episodes of locking pain and effusion. The criteria for a disability evaluation of 20 percent for left knee arthritis with meniscus tear and frequent episodes of locking pain and effusion are met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The issues of service connection for a left knee disability, increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain service treatment records and medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.