Knee decisions — 2017

The Board denied initial compensable ratings for various scars, finding that they did not meet the criteria under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's right hip disability, including osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, is found to be related to his combat service. The claim for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right leg other than a right hip disability will need further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability. He contends that he should be afforded a higher evaluation based on symptoms such as continuous pain, instability, and fatigue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left and right knee disabilities. The AOJ should also obtain any outstanding VA medical records.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since December 1, 2011. The Board finds that the symptoms of near-continuous panic or depression and neglect of personal appearance and hygiene more nearly approximate a 70 percent rating.,The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities including PTSD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, degenerative joint disease of both knees, undiagnosed illness, left thumb fracture, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, left heel bone spurs, residuals from a left great toe fracture, and costochondritis. The Board finds that these conditions preclude the Veteran from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, and a left knee disability, preclude him from securing or maintaining gainful employment. As such, the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inextricably intertwined issues of the rating and effective date assigned for his service-connected DDD of the thoracolumbar spine. The TDIU issue will be handled pending resolution of these matters.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide a VA examination for his right knee disability and to issue an SOC regarding the service connection claims. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated after the right knee rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee osseous infarcts have been rated at 10 percent each, effective October 4, 2008. The VA examiners found no limitation of motion in either knee.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected CVA residuals and right knee injury were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, left knee, and right knee disorders are not service-connected as they are not causally or etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the appeal for further development due to failure to substantially comply with previous instructions.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated as noncompensable prior to September 18, 2014 and is now rated at 10 percent from that date. The Veteran also received separate ratings for right knee instability.,For the left knee, a compensable rating was granted effective December 5, 2016, while the Veteran's pre-existing condition of left knee patellar tendinitis remains rated as noncompensable.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral knee disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to his period of active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain his separation examination report and determine if any of the claimed disabilities were related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is related to in-service parachute jumps and/or running, as well as other relevant factors. The appeal will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, and his flexion is limited to 115 degrees with no ankylosis. The Board finds that this does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for the period on appeal. A separate rating of 10 percent for limitation of motion was denied. The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a head injury and hypertension were also denied.