Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 60 percent for the periods from December 1, 2013 to September 2, 2014 and from November 1, 2015. The highest schedular evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5055 is 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a neck, back, or left knee disability etiologically related to his active duty service.,There is also no evidence of diabetes mellitus, type II in the record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a video-conference hearing and updating his mailing address.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis was not shown during service or for years after service, and the weight of the competent, probative medical opinion evidence on the question of medical nexus to service weighs against his claim.

The Veteran is unemployable due to her right knee disability for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability and its impact on his ability to work.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for the total right knee replacement due to chondromalacia and degenerative arthritis, effective April 21, 2015. A separate 10 percent rating was also granted for chondromalacia of the left knee prior to April 21, 2015, with a separate compensable rating for flexion since that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis with IVDS, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and right knee instability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested the withdrawal of his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the residuals of left knee arthroscopy and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction prior to January 7, 2013, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess her left knee and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 17, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral cataracts, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.,The Board found no link between the Veteran's current diagnoses of diabetes mellitus and bilateral cataracts with his active duty or National Guard service.

Throughout the rating period on appeal, the Veteran's left knee disability was manifested by pain productive of limitation of motion no worse than 105 degrees of flexion and 0 degrees of extension. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent were not met.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 30 percent for severe instability since August 25, 2015.,A separate 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and service treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder, knee, ankle, and back disabilities are also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case to seek a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, including whether it is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the knees is proximately due to his service-connected ankle disorders, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was rated at 30 percent prior to November 24, 2015. The rating for his right TKR remains at 10 percent from April 14, 2016. His tinea corporis with eczema is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and for a new VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after the additional information is obtained.