Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a right femur fracture, and his right knee, left knee, and right hip disabilities are not service-connected. The Veteran's phlebitis is considered as incurred in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant's neck disability is related to a period of active duty for training and service connection is granted. The claims for left ankle and left knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of current right wrist, ankle or knee disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability following replacement surgery resulted in pain, antalgic gait, use of a cane, and limitations on walking, standing, and sitting. This impairment is more severe than the minimum anticipated by a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5055.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disabilities. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance will also be remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including the removal of semilunar cartilage and degenerative changes, is rated at 20 percent from April 6, 2010 to July 7, 2010. From July 7, 2010 to July 28, 2015, a separate 10 percent rating for the removal of semilunar cartilage is granted in addition to the existing 10 percent evaluation for DJD. The Veteran's right knee disability remains rated at 10 percent from July 28, 2015 onwards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities are related to his service-connected residuals of a left distal tibia and fibula fracture.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of his left knee degenerative joint disease and the current severity of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is causally related to service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder dislocation does not warrant an extraschedular evaluation, as his symptoms do not present such an exceptional or unusual disability picture with related factors like marked interference with employment.

The Veteran's service-connected gastric erosions are rated at 10 percent, and his total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of his appeal in its entirety, and the Board has received this request. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disability, which he contends was caused by overcompensating for his service-connected right knee replacement. The Board finds the current examination and opinion inadequate and remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence of current respiratory or right hand disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The initial rating for the right knee was granted, but not higher than 10 percent. The claim for an increased rating for the left knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot, ankle, and knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his period of active duty. The preponderance of the evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.