Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete records and for further development. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation with dilated right atrium and ventricle, reduced function; diabetes mellitus, type II; bilateral lower extremity peripheral vascular disease; and bilateral lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, preclude his substantially gainful employment effective December 15, 2009.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the denial of service connection for a right knee disorder. The claim for reopening of the psychiatric disorder was reopened, but the increased rating for scarring secondary to an in-service hernia repair remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and providing the Veteran's appointed representative an opportunity to review her claims folder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. The claims for multiple myeloma and left knee disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his right knee disability is also rated at 20 percent. Both conditions are rated under the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a chip fracture at L5 level with traumatic arthritis of the thoracic spine have not resulted in ankylosis, and thus do not warrant a higher rating.,Degenerative joint disease of the left knee has been productive of flexion limited to 120 degrees and extension limited to 5 degrees. The Veteran's right knee has had limitation of motion to 100 degrees of flexion and 5 degrees of extension, which do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee has also been productive of flexion limited to 100 degrees and extension limited to 5 degrees. The Veteran does not have additional functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is only 60 percent, which does not exceed the required percentage of 60 percent or more. The Board finds that he does not meet the eligibility requirements for a schedular TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right shoulder/clavicle disorder, hypertension, lumbar spine disorder, obesity, or osteoarthritis (left knee). The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining outstanding military personnel records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, left knee disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and right lower extremity disability (including ankle).