Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder degenerative arthritis requires aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The claims were previously denied in a July 2013 rating decision, which became final due to lack of appeal within one year.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA vocational rehabilitation folder and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his knee disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be remanded pending adjudication of these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disorders, left knee disorders, right elbow disorders, and left elbow disorders. Tinnitus was also found to have originated during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, low back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to a lack of evidence showing direct exposure to herbicides during active duty service. The conditions were not found to be related to service or to any in-service event including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's service connection claims for arthritis of the hips and knees, claimed as secondary to in-service exposure to herbicides, are granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected left knee disability was denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for his right knee disability were denied. The claims for an initial compensable evaluation for a scar, right knee, status post right total knee replacement and service connection for sciatic nerve disorder as secondary to service-connected total right knee replacement due to degenerative joint disease of the right knee with patellar bursitis and tendinosis are also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding his left knee disability, specifically addressing whether it is at least as likely as not related to service. The RO will also obtain any outstanding treatment records and provide the Veteran with an opportunity to submit private treatment records.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating effective from September 16, 2014. The issue of service connection for hypertension was also addressed and the Veteran's claim is now granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent from January 30, 2009 to October 17, 2014.,A higher rating is not warranted for the period of appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee scar disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's service-connected left foot plantar fasciitis with left heel spur does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed right knee disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and addendum opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities and whether his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service. The claims are currently in remand status.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with effusion is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from February 13, 2017. The Board has determined that separate evaluations for limitation of extension and flexion are warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The left knee degenerative joint disease is pending as remanded.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of discharge and there is no evidence linking it to a disease or injury in service.