Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee, low back, and bilateral hip disabilities are not related to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also not related to service.

The Veteran's knee disabilities are rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent for both knees, with no additional issues related to service connection or exposure basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for enthesopathy of the right and left knees, as well as right and left knee strain. The evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right or left knee disabilities and there is no evidence linking any such disabilities to service. As a result, the claim for service connection for right and left knee disabilities is denied.

For the entire period on appeal, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the criteria for a separate 10 percent initial disability rating for right knee instability have been more nearly approximated.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and requesting an addendum opinion from a qualified physician to address the Veteran's lay assertions regarding abnormal gait caused by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with the highest rating assigned for each knee being 10 percent.,Prior to September 2, 2010, the Veteran was not found unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for PTSD, as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The remaining issues on appeal were remanded and are currently pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and left knee osteoarthritis were denied as the evidence did not show that his symptoms resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees or a combined range of motion less than 120 degrees.

The Veteran's diagnosed bilateral knee and shoulder disorders are not related to service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following his military service. The Board finds that the current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the case can be decided. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on the criteria for limitation of motion and instability. The initial ratings assigned are in accordance with the severity of his symptoms.,The Veteran has bilateral knee disabilities, including arthritis and instability, which have resulted in limited range of motion and frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, sleep apnea, left knee disorder, and carpal tunnel syndrome were denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was added to the issues on appeal.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an adequate VA examination that addresses the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, including secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with degenerative joint disease and bilateral soft tissue impingement of the ankles.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and updated VA treatment records. The claim for TDIU is also before the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling due to arthritis and limitation of motion. A separate 20 percent rating has been granted for the meniscus tear, but no higher ratings are warranted.

The Board granted service connection for DVT and found that the Veteran's left knee disability warranted a separate rating under Diagnostic Code 5259. The Veteran's hypertension appeal was withdrawn prior to decision, and his TDIU claim is pending in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disorders, including low back disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left elbow disorder are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's left knee meniscectomy with osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 9, 2009. The Veteran's hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis and duodenal ulcer remains rated at 30 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee degenerative joint disease, and lumbosacral strain due to outstanding VA treatment records and potential SSA disability benefits records.