Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was denied for depressive disorder, ischemic heart disease, and neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including ACL tear and meniscus tear, is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury. As a result, service connection for residuals of left knee ACL tear is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development and clarification, including obtaining new VA examinations for his left knee condition and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disability as secondary to PTSD, and remanded the remaining issues due to need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and provide an addendum opinion regarding his right knee disability. The claims will be reconsidered after the completion of this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle and left knee disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to service or his service-connected low back disability, and thus cannot be granted service connection.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which include right knee disability, back disability, and other conditions. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a 10 percent rating for bilateral knee disabilities and a 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus prior to November 15, 2016. From November 15, 2016, the Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities are related to his service, including combat injuries in Vietnam. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive and panic disorder, along with his bilateral knee disabilities, have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful activity. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease and any other right knee disability. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including affording him a VA examination and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome was rated noncompensable prior to January 19, 2016 and increased to 10 percent after that date. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability alone is not of such nature and severity as to have prevented him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and another examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his left shoulder disability and bilateral knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his active service. The evidence did not show continuity of symptoms since service or a link to service.