Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right and left knees, effective December 9, 2011. The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred in active service, resulting in a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of a nasal septoplasty and granted service connection for arthritis of both knees, as well as weight gain. The acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD) is not considered in this decision.

The case is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee, right knee, and foot disabilities. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also inextricably intertwined with the pending left knee claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records. The AOJ will attempt to obtain these records and then readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various service connection claims, including hypertension and several musculoskeletal conditions. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for hypertension or establish service connection for other claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral arthritis of the knees, and thus the appeal is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for a left knee disability and an increased rating for his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VA examination and inconsistencies in the Veteran's claims file. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether any currently diagnosed left knee disability had its onset during service or is otherwise related to service, as well as if it was caused by or aggravated by a right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, bilateral testicular cysts, a left leg disability (including left ankle pain), headaches, and rectal fissures have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities is pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeals for sleep apnea and right hand injury prior to the Board's decision.

The Board finds that service-connected bilateral lower extremity venous insufficiency contributed substantially and materially to the Veteran's death, granting entitlement to service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his left knee disability, which includes residuals of total left knee arthroplasty and instability of the right knee, has been granted. Effective dates have not yet been determined as they are pending further development.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current left knee, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities and his active service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia were granted separate disability ratings of 10 percent each, with no greater. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding when he stopped working and the need for further information on his income during the years at issue. The TDIU claim remains pending as it is intertwined with other claims for increased ratings.

The Veteran meets the schedular percentage requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board grants TDIU.