Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or compensation for either condition.

The Veteran's lower back disability is service-connected and has persisted since service.,New evidence received supports reopening the claim for left knee disability, which was previously denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and spine and right knee disabilities, but severed service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and limitation of flexion in the right knee is set at April 27, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder claimed as left knee cysts, but granted service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) L4-S1.,The Veteran's DDD L4-S1 was related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service treatment records. A new examination is also required for his PTSD and bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not reopen the claims, but granted a higher initial rating for his mood disorder.

The Veteran's VA compensation benefits for the period from August 4, 2005, to November 25, 2010, based on fugitive felon status are being reviewed. Additionally, his claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee instability is also under consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of knee strain, meniscal tear, and joint osteoarthritis are not related to his active military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left knee, right knee, and left leg disabilities are not related to his military service.,VA medical opinions have consistently concluded that these conditions did not begin during or as a result of his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 7, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease. The examiner must conduct full range of motion studies, including active and passive motion in both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing positions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied. He is also seeking a higher rating, but the Board found no evidence to support this in the current appeal period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, arthritis, and hypertension. The evidence now shows continuity of symptoms since service.,With respect to the claim for hypertension, the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to service-connected sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine, right knee limited motion, right knee instability, right knee scar, and right hip, precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 19, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether he was unemployable due to these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities warrant a rating of 10 percent each prior to November 25, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing was denied as he does not meet the legal criteria for eligibility due to his service-connected disabilities, which do not include a permanent and total disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of the record.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and post-meniscectomy and ACL injury, has been rated at 20 percent for limitation of extension. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for instability. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.