Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral knee disability did not undergo a permanent worsening during service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability did not manifest during service, within one year of separation, or was caused and/or aggravated by a service-connected right knee disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which affect a single body system (knees), are considered 'one disability' rated at 60 percent for TDIU purposes. The evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral knee disorder did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within one year of separation and is not otherwise related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and requests that the AOJ attempt to obtain or reconstruct these records using the Veteran's provided unit information.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee osteoarthritis is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by active service. The issues of bilateral hip replacements and knee disabilities are still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee arthritis, finding that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability did not manifest in service or within one year following his separation from service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence added to the record without a waiver of AOJ consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including DJD of the lumbar spine, residuals of a right ankle injury, and residuals of a right knee injury, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental VA opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's left knee disability, initially diagnosed as degenerative joint disease and later as post-operative residuals of a total knee replacement, is rated at 10 percent prior to April 8, 2013, for the period from April 8, 2013 to May 31, 2014. After that date, he has been assigned a 30 percent rating effective June 1, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and increased disability ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities were denied by the Board.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is less than the schedular percentage requirements for a TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left knee condition during service and denied the claim for service connection as there was not sufficient evidence to link current disability to an in-service injury.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for the issues of service connection for a low back disorder, left knee condition, paralysis of the sciatic nerve, and substance abuse. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues related to service connection for end stage renal disease, hypertension, and a chronic back disability. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected shrapnel fragment wounds of the left knee, arm, and chest have been evaluated as noncompensably disabling. The VA examinations did not find any evidence of underlying soft tissue loss or muscle injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been added to the case.