Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's kidney stones have been granted a 10% rating effective September 22, 2016. The other issues were denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability prior to March 1, 2012 was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or significant instability that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, right knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment since September 30, 2008. The Board finds that his employment from September 30, 2008 to January 12, 2009 was marginal employment due to his service-connected knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative joint disease was initially assigned a compensable rating of 20 percent, effective October 23, 2012. The RO reduced the rating to zero percent due to the termination of the 20 percent rating for left knee degenerative joint disease and the assignment of separate ratings for right and left knee disabilities under different diagnostic codes (DC 5260-5003).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, manifested by status post left knee replacement, was incurred during service and is related to his in-service condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of increased ratings for left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional development and readjudication.

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

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and surgical scars, has been granted service connection effective September 25, 2012.

The Veteran is awarded a 10 percent rating for his right knee disability prior to January 16, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was denied as there is no evidence of compensable limitation of motion or clinical instability, which are required for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for a left knee disability, low back disability, or psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right knee disability, were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities in June 1984. The decision was based on the fact that the Veteran's left knee condition did not prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee strain is rated at 10 percent since May 26, 2016. Service connection for a left foot disability other than pes planus and a low back disability are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee, back, and neck disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability had its onset during his period of active service and is related to it. The left knee issue remains pending as an examination is needed.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for TDIU from February 9, 2004; his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable.