Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities of the bilateral knees are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service knee pain and any diagnosed disability. The claim for hypertension remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, including whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's right retropatellar pain syndrome with degenerative joint disease and right knee instability are currently rated at 10 percent each, reflecting the severity of her symptoms as described in the medical records.

The Veteran's right knee disability was found to have worsened, but the current ratings for his functional impairment prior to December 5, 2013 and from that date forward do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran seeks service connection for right knee and back disabilities, which he contends are related to his service-connected left knee disability. The Board has determined that a new examination is needed as the current opinion provided by the VA examiner does not address direct service connection or whether the conditions were aggravated by his service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (IDT), as well as to obtain VA treatment records. The Veteran will be provided a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral knee disability, including whether it was caused by or aggravated during military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including gastroesophageal disability, tension headache disability, osteoarthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine, bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative changes at the first metatarsophalangeal joint, cervical strain with degenerative joint and disc disease, left knee orthopedic disability, left elbow nerve disability, and tinnitus, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with substance abuse disorders is found to be related to his service, and the claim for this condition is granted. The issues of neck disorder and bilateral knee disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grants of service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee and left knee should be November 13, 1992.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference Board hearing regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability (secondary to a left leg fracture and flat feet), and residuals of fracture of the left leg.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for the denial of service connection for bilateral hip, wrist, elbow, and knee disabilities at a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, the highest available rating for limitation of motion. The neuropathy of the right lower extremity is not service-connected.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for the residuals of a left knee injury with resulting arthroplasty of the left knee.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right knee disability present during the appeal period. The Veteran's service record includes notes from November 1970 and January 1971 documenting the presence of a right knee popliteal (Baker's) cyst, and he testified that following service, he first sought treatment for knots in the back of his right knee in approximately 1975.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's right knee and left knee DJD are currently rated at 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and meniscal removal, was granted a 30 percent rating effective April 1, 2015. The TDIU claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder and right knee conditions are service-connected, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain further medical opinion concerning the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right and left knee disabilities.