Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran was granted service connection for left sacroiliitis, left knee disability, and bilateral pes planus. The initial rating of 10 percent has been granted for the left knee disability from January 4, 2006 to September 13, 2007, and for the bilateral pes planus from January 4, 2006 to February 3, 2011.,The Veteran's back disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since January 4, 2006. The left knee disability was initially rated at noncompensable (0%) and later increased to 10% effective September 13, 2007. The bilateral pes planus was also initially rated at noncompensable (0%), but increased to 10% effective February 3, 2011.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling.,Both knees have been evaluated based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to address the issue of a rating greater than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee from December 15, 2009 forward. The current examination report does not specify at what point during range-of-motion testing the Veteran's pain begins and does not provide an estimate of limitation of motion that would be present during a flare-up.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation based on right knee surgery is denied as the surgery and recovery occurred prior to the effective date of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities were denied. The residuals of the total left knee arthroplasty have been rated at 60 percent since September 1, 2014, and the degenerative joint disease prior to November 5, 2012 has not warranted a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by pain and stiffness with early degenerative changes, is rated at 10 percent under the criteria for limitation of motion. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his range of motion does not meet the criteria for more than a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been remanded due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran has not had a VA examination of the knees since June 2010, on remand he should be provided a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

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

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear at his scheduled hearing, and a new hearing date will be provided.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain missing service records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records, as well as VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability on the basis of aggravation by a service-connected right knee disability. The claim for an increased rating for right knee disabilities is denied as there is no evidence that they cause marked interference with employment.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated appropriately, with the exception of his right knee strain and partial amputation of the left middle finger distal interphalangeal joint, which now receive higher initial ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent for either his right or left knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining substantial gainful employment since April 21, 2010. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability and obtain any outstanding records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is etiologically related to her service-connected bilateral shin splints and grants service connection for this condition.