Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his claim for bilateral shin splints. The Board has determined that he is precluded from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous instructions for a VA examination, and the Veteran's claim of an evaluation higher than 10 percent for traumatic arthritis of the left knee is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's left lower extremity disorder, including his left knee arthritis, is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle and toe conditions. The claim will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and other issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his bilateral knee disability. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee condition does not warrant a higher rating based on instability, and his claim for TDIU is denied as he is not found to be unemployable due solely to service-connected disabilities.

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

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, as well as the service connection claims for disabilities of the left knee and low back. The AOJ must review additional pertinent evidence and readjudicate the claims in accordance with the new examination results.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and development due to issues with scheduling at his prison facility.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, along with other disabilities, renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is related to his in-service injury and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of chronic knee symptoms during service or within one year post-service, and the VA examiner opined that the current bilateral knee disorders are less likely than not related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has reopened the claims and granted service connection for low back, left knee, and right knee disorders based on continuity of symptomatology since service separation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his in-service ACDUTRA injury, and his right knee disorder is secondary to his lumbar spine disability. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to both issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and readjudicating the claims.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's right knee conditions were caused or aggravated by his service, and it is less likely than not that they were caused or aggravated beyond their normal progression by his service-connected left ankle condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee, left knee, or left shoulder disability related to service. The skin disorder claim is also denied as there is no evidence of a current condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is service connected, and he is granted an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability. The left knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.