Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for her right knee condition is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of recent evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA medical examination to determine if the Veteran's migraine headaches are caused or permanently aggravated by his service-connected left knee meniscal tear.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle strain, left hip strain, and left knee strain are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings. The case is also being remanded for a VA examination to determine the severity of his lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran meets the requirements for an initial disability rating of 20 percent for her left knee disability, to include status post-surgical intervention for exacerbation of patellofemoral syndrome.,The Veteran also meets the requirements for an initial disability rating of 20 percent for her right knee disability, to include status post-surgical intervention for exacerbation of patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 10, 2001.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not causally related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with DJD. The Court remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's symptoms of plantar tenderness are attributable to his service-connected bilateral foot disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and readjudication of the increased rating and TDIU claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability and determine whether referral for an extraschedular rating is necessary.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed respiratory, knee, headache, eye trauma, and neck disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, resulting in a combined disability rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral knee disabilities and another TDIU claim. The issues include increased ratings for right and left knee disorders.

The Veteran's total left knee arthroplasty results in chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness, and the current rating of 60 percent is appropriate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and secondary service connection for a back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination of his right knee disability and an assessment of other disabilities affecting his mobility.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing with the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating from 50% to 10% for degenerative joint disease, residual left knee injury with limited extension, was not proper. The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for total left knee replacement is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss disability, and his claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and mild degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition. The examiner found no link between any current conditions and service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claim can be adjudicated, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's right knee disability will need to be evaluated based on the evidence of record.

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