Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records, address stressor verification, and provide VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were addressed. The Board granted a separate 10% rating for painful limited motion of the left knee from February 2008 to May 11, 2010. A 60% rating was granted for residuals of total knee arthroplasty from July 1, 2011 to September 14, 2013 and a temporary total rating for convalescence following the second TKA surgery from November 1, 2013 through October 31, 2014. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a temporary total rating was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule her for a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected left knee/tibia disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hammertoes was granted with an effective date of April 11, 2010. His PTSD remains at a maximum evaluation of 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and reopened the claims of right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is etiologically related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation due to hospital treatment in excess of 21 days for his service-connected right knee disability was denied as he did not meet the requirements under VA regulations. The case is being remanded to obtain medical records and provide an opinion regarding convalescence time.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee is related to his active service and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the right knee is rated at 10 percent, which reflects his limitation of motion. The current rating adequately describes his disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disability and right knee injury. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and the need for further development of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's initial claims for service connection were received by VA less than one year after he separated from active service, and the disabilities originated while he was serving on active duty. The effective date of the awards is set to October 1, 2006.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's low back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and arthritis is not presumed to have been incurred therein. The right knee disability did not manifest in service and is otherwise unrelated to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to determine his eligibility for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to May 21, 2013 was granted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The hearing loss disability remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and knee disabilities are as likely as not incurred in military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability and granted it. The right knee disability claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal involves the determination of appropriate ratings for her service-connected right knee disability, which includes osteoarthritis and a total knee arthroplasty. The case is currently pending as 'mixed' due to some issues being granted while others are denied.