Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and TDIU were remanded due to incomplete development. The appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues may be granted while others are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing. The primary issue on appeal is whether he should receive an evaluation higher than 10 percent for his right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back and knee disabilities are not related to his military service, nor can they be attributed to a service-connected disability. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has granted a 60% evaluation for the Veteran's left knee disability, which was rated as 30% prior to total arthroplasty. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating, for purposes of accrued benefits, was denied as the evidence did not show he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disability or hypertension related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee instability and arthritis do not prevent her from securing and following all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with her education and occupational experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability did not originate in service or until more than one year thereafter, and it is not related to such service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's back and left knee disabilities have not been shown to be related to service or his service-connected right knee disability.,VA medical opinions found that the current left knee and back conditions are not caused by, nor aggravated by, the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to his service, and there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of an in-service stressor. The right knee disorder was also found not to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and the obtaining of additional medical records.

The Board has determined that a new medical etiology opinion is needed for the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral knee disability claims due to the inadequacy of the previous opinions. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder replacement and related conditions, high cholesterol, right knee scope and condition, left knee scope and condition, and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) are all service-connected.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and a left knee disability, finding that new evidence received since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by medical records showing elevated blood glucose levels during service, which could indicate undiagnosed diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.

The Board denied increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left knee status post meniscectomy and residual stress fracture of the left medial tibia with slight instability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant higher schedular ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and determining whether an examination is necessary. The appeal will be reconsidered after this additional development.