Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities was denied. The Board found that the VA examinations did not adequately address the Veteran's complaints of flare-ups and any subsequent functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and heart disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated in service, nor are they proximately due to his service-connected low back disability.,The evidence did not establish a nexus between the Veteran's current knee disabilities and any incident of service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a combined rating in excess of 30 percent. The issue of entitlement to TDIU was also remanded as it is unclear whether the Veteran meets the threshold requirements for schedular TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion, is rated at 20 percent. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the Veteran's incarceration, which prevented a VA examination. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development of his right ankle and right knee conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by degenerative change and chondromalacia patella post-arthroscopy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The separate condition of cartilage dislocation with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint warrants a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's folliculitis, low back disability, chronic right ankle sprain disability, and left hand/thumb disability are all found to be service-connected. The Veteran's right thumb disability is not service-connected. A rating in excess of 10 percent for the scar from head surgery is granted.

The Veteran's right hip arthritis and status post total right hip arthroplasty are rated at 90 percent effective January 24, 2014.,For the period from June 1, 2017, the Veteran is entitled to a rating of 90 percent for his left knee degenerative joint disease, strain and total left knee replacement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not properly adjudicated and requires additional development, including a review of his history as a paratrooper.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify periods of active duty, inactive duty training, and obtain VA examinations addressing the Veteran's left shoulder condition, low back condition, knee conditions, and bilateral foot condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected, and he is granted a 20 percent rating for his left knee meniscal disability with painful limited motion. He is also granted a 20 percent rating for his left knee instability.

The Veteran's back disability and current coronary artery disease are found to be related to service, while his right knee condition is not.

The Veteran's combined disability rating meets the criteria for a TDIU, but he is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities alone as they do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee strain, depressive disorder and schizoaffective disorder, back injury, and chest injury. The claim for left knee strain was reopened due to new evidence showing a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left leg shrapnel residuals, including a left ankle condition and left big toe condition, are not related to his military service.,His right shoulder condition is not related to his military service. The Veteran has no credible evidence of such an association.,The Veteran's headaches have not been shown to be either a chronic disability or etiologically related to military service.,The Veteran's sleep apnea was not present until many years after service and is not related to his military service.,His right knee condition has not been shown to be related to his military service.