Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including provision to the Veteran of a Statement of the Case on the issue of an initial compensable disability rating prior to January 26, 2011, and higher than 30 percent since January 26, 2011, for prostrating headaches. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for urinary tract infection and an acquired psychiatric disorder as well as entitlement to higher initial ratings for prostrating headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia contributed substantially in causing his death due to uncontrolled diabetes, which was a result of the Veteran's non-compliance with insulin medication. The Board finds that the Veteran's schizophrenia led to his insulin non-compliance and thus combined to cause death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by painful flexion and slight instability, does not warrant a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee DJD is related to his service, granting service connection.,Similarly, the Board determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine DDD was also related to his service and granted service connection.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and his social phobia disorder results in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. His anxiety does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right knee chondromalacia, left knee chondromalacia, and allergic dermatitis.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability resulted in a 20 percent initial rating since October 20, 2016.,Initial ratings of 10 percent were assigned for the service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has also remanded several issues, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's myositis ossificans of the right thigh, effective from December 22, 2011. The decision also addressed his claims for left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted, and he is currently rated at 10 percent for his sinusitis. The Board has remanded the remaining issues for further development.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain the Veteran's vocation rehabilitation folder and to provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his low back disability, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU for the entire rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's right knee disability, hypertension, and bilateral pes planus have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees is denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or event and the current disability is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a low back disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral shin splints. However, the Veteran's current conditions are not found to be related to service or to his service-connected asthma.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for myofascial lumbar syndrome with degenerative disc disease, L4-5 (claimed as low back condition) due to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The right knee chondromalacia and individual unemployability issues remain on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and review of the TDIU claim in conjunction with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's left thumb and knee disabilities are each rated at the minimum compensable level. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent effective October 7, 2016.

The Veteran's back disability is found to be etiologically related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran's left knee disorder was not diagnosed during the appeal period and its relationship to service is unclear.