Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing. The claims of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for bilateral hand arthritis and bilateral knee arthritis will be addressed after the hearing.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knees are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. His claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities are also being remanded as he has not been provided with a VA examination in over six years.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports from the VA. The RO must obtain private treatment records, secure VA treatment records, and provide the Veteran with a new orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left knee disorder incurred during service or due to a service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's current left knee condition is considered to be related to an injury sustained at work in 1999.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only is denied as he does not meet the requirements of this program due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been manifested by flexion limited to at worst 40 degrees, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine if his bilateral knee and foot disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records related to the Veteran's knee disabilities, scheduling a new VA examination, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left knee, right hip, left hip, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing their onset in active service or within one year thereafter, and the absence of a causal relationship between these conditions and service or service-connected right foot callus.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 10 percent to noncompensable was proper due to clear and unmistakable error in an earlier decision. The Veteran is entitled to a compensable evaluation prior to July 18, 2006, but not after that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and conducting new examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities. The claims will be reviewed after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to incomplete information regarding his employment status and the need for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA opinion on the impact of service-connected disabilities on employability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and that a new examination is necessary to decide the claims. Additionally, it was noted that the Veteran's scheduled hearing date was not held due to cancellation without good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded these issues due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding secondary service connection for the low back disability, as well as insufficient testing in the VA knee examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service connection claims, including obtaining relevant records and conducting further examinations.