Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is found to be the result of his service-connected calcaneal heel spurs, and thus granted service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for further development, including a new VA examination and consideration of whether extra-schedular evaluation or special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) are warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are related to in-service injuries. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic back disability, including facet arthropathy at L4-5 and L5-S1, bilaterally, and broad-based disc bulging, is service-connected. The initial ratings for left lower leg compartment syndrome and left knee disabilities are also granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, with no higher rating possible under the applicable diagnostic codes.,For her lumbosacral spine disability, the current ratings are insufficient to reflect the severity of her condition. The Veteran has a combined range of motion less than 120 degrees and muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or kyphosis.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable diagnostic codes.,Her right lower extremity radiculopathy also warrants a rating of 20 percent based on the severity of her symptoms and functional impairment.,For her headaches, the current ratings are insufficient to reflect the severity of her condition. The Veteran experiences characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's metastatic malignant melanoma and Meniere's disease. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his right ruptured biceps tendon with right shoulder impingement syndrome and torn rotator cuff, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and right knee disability were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's painful scarring and recurrent node are not considered to be the result of VA medical treatment, rehabilitation program, or participation in a compensated work therapy program activity. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cirrhosis of the liver, cervical spine disability, right shoulder arthritis, and right knee arthritis did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's disability rating meets schedular requirements for TDIU, but further evidentiary development is required to assess the extent of his service-connected disabilities' impact on his employability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disability and bilateral knee disability, as well as his claim for an increased rating for PTSD. The Veteran was found to not have current disabilities that would warrant these claims.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right knee disability is proximately due to, or aggravated by, his service-connected left knee total arthroplasty. As such, the claim for service connection for a right knee disability secondary to service-connected left knee total arthroplasty has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability and an initial compensable rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience since April 10, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral knees, and low back, have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantial gainful employment from September 27, 2010, through May 31, 2014. He is now employed as a service technician.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain records from the Veteran's period of incarceration from 1985 to 2005. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied, with the effective dates set at August 31, 2009.,There is no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to August 31, 2009.

The Veteran's claims under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left big toe amputation, left below-the-knee amputation, and right foot fracture are being remanded due to the incomplete expert medical opinion submitted in October 2016.