Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his occupational functioning. The issue of entitlement to an extraschedular rating will also be remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease, in excess of 10 percent for left knee fracture with degenerative spurs and crepitus, and in excess of 10 percent for right foot fracture of the fifth toe with degenerative joint space narrowing and hallux valgus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment for the period from July 24, 2007, to February 14, 2008.

The Veteran's right knee injury and right rotator cuff injury are not service-connected as they did not originate in active service, were not caused by active service, were not aggravated by active service, and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation.,The Veteran was not exposed to herbicide agent during his military service. His ischemic heart disease is not service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability is not causally related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage criteria for TDIU and prevent him from securing or following a gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee degenerative joint disease had its onset during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in July 1983, and thus is service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left hip disabilities are not service-connected.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of hemorrhoids. His claimed hemorrhoids were previously diagnosed in 1998.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar strain, bilateral knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's knee disabilities are related to his service-connected foot disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee arthritis had its onset during active duty service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of updated medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disability, right knee strain, left knee strain, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to August 11, 2011. Effective from August 11, 2011, the Veteran is granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including range of motion testing and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's left total knee replacement has not been productive of severe painful motion or weakness, and does not manifest in ankylosis, extension limited to greater than 20 degrees, or nonunion of the tibia and fibula with loose motion requiring a brace. Therefore, his claim for a higher disability rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected bilateral knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's knee strains have been rated at 20 percent each since October 21, 2013. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU are not met.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his peripheral neuropathies and knee disabilities, did not render him unemployable for the period from March 6, 2013 to the present.