Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's left knee strain is related to her service-connected right knee strain.

The Veteran's left knee DJD with excision of a loose body has been rated at 20 percent since October 6, 2010. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and disability level.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not manifest within one year of separation from active service, is not otherwise etiologically related to his service, and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

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

The Board has granted service connection for left hip and knee disabilities, but the effective dates are not specified as they require additional development.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent prior to June 14, 2011, and 60 percent from August 1, 2012. The claim for service connection for right knee disability is granted as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and major depressive disorder with psychotic features have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent disabling, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is granted increased disability ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities, with a rating of 40 percent for the right knee and 50 percent for the left knee. She is also granted separate disability ratings of 20 percent each for semilunar cartilage conditions in both knees.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing regarding the right wrist disorder and an SOC on the right knee rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee tendonitis requires a brace, which causes wear and tear on his clothing. The VA has previously granted clothing allowances for this reason except in 2012. The Board finds that the Veteran should receive a clothing allowance for 2012.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions. However, the evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between any claimed condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the right patella and degenerative joint disease of the right knee have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, bilateral hip and low back disabilities are not service-connected as they were not manifested during his active duty or caused by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability, and providing an opinion regarding whether his lumbar spine disorder is related to military service or secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a low back disability. The evidence does not show that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.,For his PTSD, the Veteran's claim is pending as additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obesity and left knee disorder. The issues are being considered under secondary service connection.

The Veteran's right foot and knee disabilities have been granted service connection, with the right knee receiving a disability rating of 20 percent. The Veteran is not entitled to increased ratings for instability or limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance due to his service-connected low back pain and patellofemoral syndrome of both knees was denied as the braces he uses do not tend to wear or tear his clothing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and providing addendum opinions from VA examiners.