Knee decisions — 2017

The case is being remanded due to the need for a Board video-conference hearing and because the Veteran wishes to have all issues heard at once.

The Veteran's current bilateral knee disability was not caused or aggravated by a disease or injury in active service, or a service-connected disability. The Board finds that the Veteran's claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee degenerative changes remains at 10 percent, and an extraschedular rating for lumbar spine DDD is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete development and requires additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee osteoarthritis was not found to warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned ratings for flexion and extension prior to April 7, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right leg disorder is not service-connected, as it is less likely than not permanently aggravated by events during service. The disorders are considered secondary to sciatica.

The Veteran received increased ratings for his right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities. The right knee rating has been upgraded to 60 percent after June 27, 2007.,Effective dates are not specified as the decisions were made in the April 2010 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis in his bilateral knees is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that the condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is rated at 30 percent prior to January 16, 2012 and increased to 50 percent effective March 9, 2016. The claim for increased rating of migraine and tension headaches was granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, right knee, and left knee disorders are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection of bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's current diagnosed internal derangement of the knees is found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU eligibility were granted, with the effective date being the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that he has a current psychiatric disability related to active service.,Initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent are not warranted for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities due to the lack of evidence showing limitation of motion or other disabling symptoms warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of her claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address whether his leg length discrepancy and right knee disability are related and if so, whether they cause or aggravate his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a schedular TDIU was denied as he did not meet the percentage thresholds for such. The Board found that his combined rating of 60% disabling from service-connected disabilities does not meet the requirements for a schedular TDIU. An extra-schedular TDIU is being referred to the Director, Compensation Service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that TDIU is not warranted.

The appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further information and compliance with duties to notify and assist. A VA examination will be conducted to assess the Veteran's functional impairment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee is related to his active duty service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.