Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are rated at the lowest possible level (10%) due to lack of limitation in motion or instability.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the initial ratings for right and left knee joint osteoarthritis. The Veteran's conditions are currently rated at 10% each, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are due to his military service. The right knee disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and right knee conditions due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms. The Veteran will need a VA examination to evaluate the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically related to his service and multiple jump landings.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his heart condition, bilateral knee condition, low back condition, right rotator cuff tear with repair and scars, and generalized anxiety disorder with memory loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 7, 2014 for a 10% evaluation for service-connected DJD and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee was denied. The Board found that the correct facts were before the adjudicator at the time of the February 2008 rating decision, but there was no clear and unmistakable error in failing to grant a 10% initial evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined rating of 70% did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis was denied.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for 10% ratings for right elbow bursitis and right knee patellofemoral syndrome were denied as there was no evidence of an increase in disability prior to March 26, 2014.

The Board has found that the Veteran's VA examinations for his cervical spine, knee disabilities, and mental health conditions have not been conducted as scheduled. The appeal is being remanded to reschedule these examinations and obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previous denial of service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The underlying claim of service connection for the left knee disability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected right knee disability due to insufficient evidence, specifically a lack of MRI. The case is being sent back for a new VA examination in accordance with current rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of a local hearing with a Decision Review Officer (DRO).

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause. The Board found that the failure to appear at the examinations resulted in a denial of his claims.

The Board has determined that the original claim for service connection for a left knee condition remains open and must be remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service injury are considered, along with updated treatment records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a previous meniscectomy, is rated at 60 percent from September 1, 2013 to February 10, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient examination findings and conflicting opinions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, including updated VA examinations and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder as not well grounded due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The Veteran did not appeal this decision, making it final.