Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's postoperative residuals of a total right knee replacement are currently rated at 30 percent since January 1, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on severe painful motion or weakness, and that there was no evidence of ankylosis, nonunion of the tibia and fibula, or limitation of extension to 30 degrees or more.

The Veteran's right and left knee conditions have been evaluated as degenerative arthritis, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.,The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for each knee under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5024.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10% prior to February 20, 2008. The Board has now granted a higher rating of 20% for the period before February 20, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and hip disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating prior to August 29, 2007. The Board has also granted TDIU for the period prior to August 29, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule new VA examinations for his right knee, right shoulder, and left wrist disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including hearing loss, hip, knee, and ankle pain, and a respiratory condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all service-connected. The rating for the compression fracture of T12-L1 remains at 20 percent.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's scars of her right knee, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor. The remaining issues regarding her lumbar spine and right knee conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities and separate ratings for instability and fatigue.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions including COPD, hypertension, sickle cell anemia, and a psychiatric disorder. The appeal includes issues related to these conditions.,The Veteran seeks service connection for hypertension. She contends that her condition began during active duty due to stress from basic training.,The Veteran claims service connection for sickle cell anemia. She asserts that the condition was present at birth but worsened by military service, particularly smoking and marching with a thumb extended during basic training.,The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, dyslexia (claimed as inaptitude), and schizoid disorder. She contends these conditions are related to her sickle cell trait and stress from active duty.,The Veteran claims service connection for residuals of stroke, which she attributes to her sickle cell trait and hypertension.,She seeks service connection for a left knee disability, alleging injury during basic training while using a floor buffer. She also contends that marching with a thumb extended caused damage to her right thumb.,She requests service connection for a lumbar spine disability, attributing it to injuries sustained in service while using a floor cleaner and marching with a thumb extended.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a right thumb condition, alleging injury during basic training.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability.

The Veteran's previous occupation as a chiropractor is unsuitable due to his service-connected knee, back, and hip disabilities. The Board finds that additional vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31 of Title 38 is warranted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The evidence is in favor of finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request at a hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records related to the Veteran's knee conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability, resulting from a motorcycle accident in service and eventually requiring total knee replacement surgery, is found to be related to his active duty service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for an orthopedist to examine the Veteran's left knee disability and right knee disability. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of high cholesterol, hypertension, sleep apnea, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, right knee disability, low back disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral elbow disability have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran at his hearing. The appeal for service connection on the issue of right hip disability is remanded.