Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders are related to his military service.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current right leg, hip, or knee disorder related to the Veteran's active duty service. The appeals for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back strain, right knee strain, and patella-femoral syndrome of both knees are related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee DJD is rated at 10 percent, and he is also entitled to a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage. The higher ratings are not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examinations and failure to provide adequate reasons and bases for denial of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the VA physician's opinion in his discharge application and consideration of CUE in the July 2012 rating decision regarding service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current level of disability of her right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from maintaining substantial gainful employment since April 10, 2007. The Board grants an effective date of April 10, 2007 for the grant of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to his service or a service-connected condition, and therefore, denied service connection for this condition. The initial compensable disability evaluation claim for tarsal tunnel syndrome remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently evaluated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling due to moderate limitation of motion. The Veteran also has subastragalar or tarsal joint ankylosis in good weight-bearing position, which warrants a separate 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD and arthritis of the bilateral hips & knees are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, reflecting limitation of motion and pain. The Board finds that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule the Veteran for a Board hearing by live videoconference.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left hip condition has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal prior to the Board's decision.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a lumbar strain with degenerative changes has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal prior to the Board's decision.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for an acquired psychiatric condition has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal prior to the Board's decision.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for lipomas of the back prior to March 4, 2008 and 10 percent thereafter has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection, ratings for various hip and knee disabilities, and a claim for TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral knees, and left ankle as his conditions are not related to service or manifested within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO granted service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder, but did not grant the requested higher initial rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative osteoarthritis of the left knee has been denied as there was no new and material evidence submitted between final rating decisions and his July 31, 2009 claim to reopen.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC due to loss of use of a foot.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee strain was pending at the time of his death. The evidence did not show any limitation in range of motion or instability that would warrant a higher rating, and therefore, the claim is denied.