Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional VA examination to determine the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The examiner must consider the Veteran's complaints of constant pain and occurrences of immobility due to his bilateral leg disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea, heart disorder, flat feet, back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder are not attributable to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings to 20 percent each, effective July 17, 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss and tinnitus are not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for left knee, sleep apnea, and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability. A new VA examination is needed to determine if a current left knee disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed joint disabilities, including cervical spine, bilateral shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees, are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his active duty service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and medial meniscectomy have been rated based on their current manifestations, with no additional rating granted for instability or flexion limitation.

The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia are each rated at 10 percent, with no higher ratings granted.,Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent. The cervical spine condition remains rated at 10 percent.,Propriety of separate ratings for radiculopathy in both upper and lower extremities has been addressed as part of the initial rating determinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and left knee instability were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for her right knee disability was granted. She currently has a 10 percent rating for her service-connected right knee disability, which includes limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative joint disease and bilateral knee disability are found to be service-connected as they are proximately due to his service-connected right ankle and foot disabilities. Effective July 18, 2006, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on these service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for patellofemoral chondromalacia of the bilateral knee. The remaining issues on appeal (pseudofolliculitis barbae, ear condition, eye disorder, and migraines) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after the completion of these actions.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been rated at 40 percent since October 24, 2013. Prior to this date, the knees were evaluated under different codes (DC 5262 for tibia and fibula impairment and DC 5257 for instability).

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires an addendum to address whether any current left knee condition is etiologically related to any symptomatology noted in service.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his back disability, have been granted a 100 percent evaluation based on the total left knee replacement effective April 19, 2016. The remaining issues remain on appeal.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a bilateral knee disability due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is found to be related to his active military service.