Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to secure and follow any form of substantially gainful employment prior to May 13, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine, lumbar spine, left shoulder, right knee, and right foot disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active service. As such, these claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantial gainful employment since 1994, but his claim for TDIU prior to March 1, 1998 is dismissed as moot due to the assignment of a 100% rating for total knee arthroplasty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and medical treatment records. The left knee disability rating and TDIU claims will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his right knee disability has been granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective from January 23, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and readjudication due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the etiology of his right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee DJD with mild lateral instability and entitlement to a TDIU due to his service-connected left knee disabilities. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were related to military service or aggravated by other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at a noncompensable level, but the April 2016 VA examination shows flexion to 90 degrees with pain causing functional loss. The Veteran meets the criteria for a 10% rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage and painful flexion, has been granted a non-compensable rating. The Board found that a separate 10 percent rating is warranted for each issue.

The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right tibia and fibula were rated 20 percent from September 3, 2008 to April 15, 2013; 20 percent from April 16, 2013 to August 13, 2014; and 30 percent on and after August 14, 2014. The Veteran's scars were rated 20 percent from September 3, 2008 to April 15, 2013; 30 percent from April 16, 2013 to August 13, 2014; and 40 percent on and after August 14, 2014. The Veteran's claims were granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling records. Additionally, new examinations are needed for his bilateral knee disabilities, inguinal hernia residuals, kidney stone residuals, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for DJD of the bilateral knees, finding that it is related to his active duty service in Antarctica and Greenland.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his current left knee disability is related to his military service, and denied the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic pyelonephritis with chronic cystitis, degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the knees, hearing loss, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that a TDIU is warranted.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to scheduling issues for VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection for various spine and knee disorders are now pending.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, including arthritis, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of left hand surgery. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder secondary to deviated nasal septum is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back and right knee disabilities. The issues on appeal are whether the Veteran is entitled to increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities.