Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's DJD of the right knee is rated at 20 percent, effective January 30, 2009. His instability of the right knee remains at a 10 percent rating. The Board denied his claims for higher ratings and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities as the evidence did not show they were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral hip and knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these disabilities are secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease and diabetes mellitus with hypertension, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating and increased ratings for his right knee disability is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess current functional limitations during flare-ups, as well as vocational rehabilitation records.

The claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is reopened, and the Board finds that additional development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right hip, left hip, right leg, and left leg disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The cervical spine and shoulder disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a skin disability, have been denied. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression) has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee DJD and patellofemoral syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the functional impact of flare-ups on his range of motion, as well as his ability to meet job demands.

The Board has remanded four issues: service connection for PTSD, evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain, evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability, and evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension. The Veteran is to be provided with VA examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities and determine their etiology.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities as of April 16, 2012.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for an upper back disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee and foot disabilities, right Achilles tendonitis, and bilateral hand disabilities. The remand requires additional medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to in-service motor vehicle accidents or other inservice events.

The Veteran's claims for left wrist disorder, petition to reopen right wrist pain, and asthma rating are dismissed. The lower back and right shoulder disorders' service connection petitions are reopened.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability other than pseudofolliculitis barbae, low back disability, bilateral wrist disabilities (including carpal tunnel syndrome), and right knee disability due to lack of evidence supporting these claims. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of right hip hemiarthroplasty as secondary to his service-connected bilateral status post total knee replacement, finding that the evidence did not support the Veteran's contention that his knee disabilities were responsible for his inability to regain balance and prevent him from stopping a fall.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, finding that there is credible evidence of continuity of symptoms since service. The appeal for service connection for joint pain was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of his bilateral knee conditions and male infertility need further examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his stroke residuals and knee disabilities, have left him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his right knee disability, as well as the current severity of his left knee disability post-TKA and lumbar strain. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the left and right knees have been rated based on limitation of motion. The knee instability has also been separately evaluated.