Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The appeals are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is found to be proximately due to her service-connected left ankle disability, and thus granted secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her left knee disability was granted, and she is currently rated at 20 percent. The claim for service connection for a right knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess his right ear hearing loss, sleep disturbance, bilateral knee, left hip, and back disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The abdominal scars have been rated as 10 percent disabling for pain.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the Veteran's claimed hypothyroidism and right knee condition. The evidence does not show a link between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for referral to the VA Director of Compensation Service for adjudication under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current obstructive sleep apnea, left knee disability, or left middle finger disability. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric, hip, lumbar spine, and knee disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability. The case will be returned to the Board after this.

The Veteran's left knee disability is not service-connected. The Board denied the claims for increased ratings and effective dates.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's ratings for bilateral knee disabilities from 30 to 10 percent was improper and restored the original 30 percent ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability existed prior to his active service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and initial ratings have been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the disability ratings assigned.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his service-connected bilateral postoperative calcaneal fractures, right foot and left foot, with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been productive of painful motion throughout the appeal period, warranting an initial rating of at least 10 percent effective November 1, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his spine and knee disabilities.