Knee decisions — 2017

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability related to his military service and therefore denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration of his service connection requests. The issues include gout, arthritis of the shoulders, arthritis of the knees, and secondary service connection for hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee strain does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating, and thus denied her claim for an increased initial rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities other than GAD has been dismissed because SMC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain VA treatment records from 1970 to 1976, and to ensure that all relevant evidence is in complete compliance with the directives of this remand.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of his current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sarcoidosis is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his diagnosed condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was manifested by flexion to 130 degrees and extension to zero degrees, with pain but no evidence of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The preponderance of the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and / or 5261.

The Veteran is granted a 10% disability rating for right knee instability, effective March 20, 2009. The Veteran's claim for limitation of motion remains denied.,The Veteran's right knee condition was initially rated as noncompensable prior to March 20, 2009 and has been increased to a 10% rating since then.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the Veteran with a new VA examination to determine if his current knee disabilities are related to service.

The Board has ordered additional development to be completed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is now REMANDED.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficiently severe to inhibit his ability to obtain gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disability or skin condition that started during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left shoulder disorder, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The claim for a left knee disorder was not addressed as it did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left leg below the knee amputation is service connected, and therefore grants this claim. The right hip disability issue remains pending for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including spine disorder, depressive disorder, radiculopathy, right foot and left foot degenerative joint diseases, and right knee degenerative joint disease, preclude her from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for right knee disability and granted service connection based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened and granted. The effective date of the grant is December 14, 2013. A TDIU was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted with an effective date of February 26, 2014. The heart disorder claim is secondary to the service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.