Knee decisions — 2016

The appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's knee disorders are caused or aggravated by a service-connected left ankle sprain.

The Board has decided to remand this case for additional development due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's preexisting right knee disability and its progression during service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render her unemployable due to substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his compensation benefits withheld in 2014. The Board will review and adjudicate this claim again after receiving any supporting evidence from the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the credibility findings and need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities are found to have caused or aggravated her current disabilities of the bilateral ankles, knees, hips, and low back.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability does not render him unemployable, and thus denied his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability and left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back, bilateral ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from the February 2015 VA examiner and ensuring that all requested development is completed. The claims will be readjudicated after this.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left knee or low back disability during the period of his claim, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was evaluated as noncompensable in September 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not attributable to disease or injury sustained during his period of service and did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating. The claim was denied as there was no evidence linking the current disability to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and left shoulder disorders were not incurred or aggravated during his military service, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition present at separation from service. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not report any symptoms related to these conditions until many years after service.

The Veteran's left TKR is rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for ankylosis of the knee. The right TKR remains rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's heart condition, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, and gynecological disorder. The issues on appeal are related to whether these conditions are service-connected.

The Veteran's left knee removal of semilunar cartilage was rated at 20 percent prior to October 30, 2014. A separate 10 percent rating for instability under DC 5257 is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and effective date earlier than March 10, 2006 for service connection of left knee strain, right knee strain, and lumbar strain. The effective date remains March 10, 2006.

The Veteran's right hip disability, including osteoarthritis and total right hip arthroplasty with residuals, is found to be service-connected. The Board also granted service connection for left hip, back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities as secondary to the right hip disability.

The Board has determined that further examination and development are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and ankle disorders, as well as his claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability.