Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a personal hearing and the filing of a notice of disagreement on his right knee disability claim.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative changes and a medial meniscus tear, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service. Service connection was denied for a right leg disability other than radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder as secondary to the Veteran's already service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating of his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, pes planus, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for limitation of motion of the right knee due to insufficient examination and incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including mood disorder with depressive features and left total knee replacement with mild peripheral sensory neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU on a schedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee status post total knee arthroplasty.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service connection claims for left knee and shoulder disabilities were not granted. His claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain with postoperative DDD at L5-S1 was partially granted, but the TDIU claim prior to September 1, 2010, is held in abeyance.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left knee disability and the Board finds that there is no evidence of a chronic disease or injury incurred in service. As such, the claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was aggravated by service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The low back disability is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions to determine its etiology.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia, did not have its onset in or as a result of military service and is therefore not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and extension of a temporary total convalescence rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination and completion of the VA Form 21-8940. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated based on the updated information.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA vocational rehabilitation records. A new VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's left knee disability was found to be manifested by noncompensable limitation of motion, dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking and pain, and slight lateral instability. The VA determined that the current ratings were appropriate for this period.

The Board found that the Veteran's current knee and nerve disorders did not manifest until decades after her active period of service, and the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that they are otherwise related to her active service or resulted from an injury incurred during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. The Veteran's osteophyte was also found not to be related to her service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and right knee disabilities, as well as his traumatic brain injury.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request from the appellant's representative.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate previous examinations. The AOJ should attempt to obtain any outstanding medical records and contact the Veteran and his representative to seek out additional evidence or opinions.