Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right knee disability or somatoform pain disorder as a result of service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, following a total knee replacement, has been rated at 30 percent since March 1, 2006. Since February 3, 2010, the disability is rated at 60 percent.

Your claim for service connection for a left knee disability has been resolved in your favor, but the issue is no longer in appellate status as it was granted by the AMC in October 2013.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is at least 70 percent, and his PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling. The criteria for entitlement to a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's service connection for left pes planus is granted. The right knee and left knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.

The RO reduced the Veteran's rating for his service-connected left knee condition from 20% to 10%, effective November 1, 2012. The reduction was proper as there was sustained improvement in the Veteran's range of motion.,The Veteran's right knee disability claim was denied and TDIU prior to March 22, 2011, was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and service connection for left knee DJD with total knee arthroplasty, as well as a compensable rating for headaches.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for gastritis, skin rash of the neck, chest, and back, and service connection for left groin pain have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia has been denied.

The Veteran is granted a 50 percent disability rating for migraine headaches, the maximum schedular rating available. The left knee disability is rated as 0 percent prior to February 21, 2015 and 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled video-conference Board hearing. The RO must attempt to confirm the Veteran's current mailing address and schedule him for another hearing.

The Board has determined that additional VA medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, as the current opinions may be based on inaccurate or incomplete factual premises.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disabilities, including chondromalacia and meniscal tears, are related to his service. The Board finds that there is equipoise of evidence regarding whether these conditions began during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability and low back disability have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims. The right ankle disability and obstructive sleep apnea were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's increased rating and TDIU claims for further evidentiary development due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disability and whether he requires regular aid and attendance or is housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and will provide further development before making a decision on the claims.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for a vocational evaluation, and referring the case to the Director of Compensation Service for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the need to revise the April 12, 2016 rating decision and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee degenerative joint disease had its onset during service and granted her claim for service connection. The issue of a compensable rating for atopic dermatitis is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back, right and left tibia, right knee, and left foot conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU based on this finding.