Knee decisions — 2016

The Board denied a higher initial rating for the left knee strain and service connection for the right foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2 was managed with diet only during the initial rating period. For the entire rating period, his right and left knee disabilities have been manifested by painful, noncompensable limitation of motion with stiffness, crepitation, and frequent episodes of pain, locking, and effusion. The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's left total knee arthroplasty is currently rated at 30 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for instability. The current rating does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability, with a history of instability and degenerative changes post-total knee arthroplasty, is rated at 30 percent. A separate 10 percent rating for instability was granted prior to February 9, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his right knee disability, as he testified that it has worsened since his last VA examination in June 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed lumber spine disorder and bilateral sciatica, both found to be directly related to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's knee disabilities are not service-connected as there is no evidence of chronic knee complaints in service and the medical evidence does not support a finding of current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his instability of the right knee is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and back conditions. The evidence submitted since the final denial is considered new and material.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The low back disability and lateral patellar friction syndrome claims are pending as the Board is unable to determine their status due to lack of information.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent effective July 1, 2011. The TDIU claim was granted effective the same date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability and tinnitus are related to his military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claimant. As such, both conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% and his right ankle disability remains at 10%. The claims for lumbar spine, right shoulder, right knee, left ankle disabilities are not addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and middle finger disabilities were denied. The Board found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for irritable bowel syndrome with peptic ulcer and patellofemoral syndrome, right knee were denied. The Veteran was not granted a separate compensable evaluation for instability of the right knee.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his service connection claims, including obtaining additional medical records and providing addendum opinions from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be related to service, and his right knee disability is found to have worsened since the last examination. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition (trench foot) has been reopened. The other issues remain pending and are evaluated on their merits.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to address whether any service-connected disabilities caused or contributed to the Veteran's death from blunt force head trauma, and if so, which ones. The examiner should also consider whether the syncopal episode was part of his service-connected psychogenic headaches and whether Parkinson's disease onset during military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right knee disorder. The criteria for service connection have been met, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.