Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding his mental health disability (PTSD), are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted a separate schedular evaluation of 20 percent for the left knee instability and residuals of the service-connected left knee meniscectomy between February 1, 2009 and January 12, 2014.

The Board has determined that the evidence currently of record is sufficient to substantiate the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, and thus no further development is required.

The Veteran's effective date for a 60% disability rating for left knee replacement is set at June 1, 2006, based on his symptoms and examination results from that time.

The Board found that there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's current left ankle and knee disabilities and his reported injuries during service. The examiner opined that these conditions are more likely due to many years of standing and walking.,There is no clear evidence of a pre-existing rickets condition, as the Veteran was presumed sound upon entry into service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hip condition is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability and granted a 10 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA medical examination and review of his claims file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold percentage requirement to establish eligibility for TDIU, but his unemployability is being referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the condition is directly related to service.

The Veteran's TENS unit and right knee brace caused wear and tear to his clothing, which resulted in a clothing allowance for the year 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, neck disability, and left knee disability. The claim for increased rating of major depressive disorder from December 16, 2003 to July 16, 2013 was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to missing service treatment records, inadequate examination reports, and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 30 percent before June 18, 2012. A separate rating for loss of extension due to degenerative joint disease is granted. Service connection for a left hip disability remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to care for herself without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted an increased initial rating of 10 percent for the right knee disability for the entire period on appeal, and later remanded to determine if a TDIU was warranted prior to February 4, 2013. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, low back disorder, right knee disorder, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right elbow disorder have been reopened. The claim of service connection for a left knee disorder is granted.,Service connection has also been granted for the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of left knee disability and granted it. The Veteran's current left knee disability is found to be related to parachute jumps during service, resolving doubt in his favor. For the left wrist disability, the Board finds that the fracture documented in service was likely causally significant, granting service connection.

The Veteran's current left knee, right knee, left hip, and low back disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a tibia and fibula fracture.