Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is found to be due to service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as her service-connected shin splints, lumbosacral strain, and left foot stress fracture.

The Veteran is granted TDIU benefits effective July 7, 2008. The Board finds that it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's unemployability was due solely to service-connected disabilities during the one-year period preceding the date of claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a meniscal tear and osteoarthritis, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from June 10, 2014. The Board has also granted an additional 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee prior to that date.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of his sleep apnea and knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are related to his active service, granting service connection for both.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he is able to perform sedentary work despite his knee issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's left knee replacement disability has been rated at 60 percent since January 1, 2008. The Board also granted TDIU from April 25, 2007 to March 25, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple knee, wrist, and low back disabilities. The RO has assigned initial ratings for these conditions, but the Veteran disagrees with these determinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disorders do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected left shoulder disability, as well as claims for other disabilities and benefits. The Board has ordered remand due to incomplete records and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left knee strains have been denied as the evidence does not show that either condition warrants a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disorder was not aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, and back disorders, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-service existence or aggravation. The Board also found that the current disabilities were not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee arthritis and medial meniscal tear are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.