Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examinations and a need for further development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an examination by an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to incomplete development, including a need for a VA examination and a retrospective medical opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional medical records from Dr. Lozman.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lower back, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities. The claims of service connection for these conditions are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the inadequacy of the April 2013 VA examination and the need for new opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right ankle, right hip, left knee, and low back conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his non-psychiatric service-connected disabilities. Other claims are also being considered.

Service connection for left knee pain has been granted. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine disorder and right wrist disorder have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's initial request for a higher rating for his right knee meniscal tear with partial ACL injury was denied. A separate 20 percent rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage prior to November 18, 2009, and a separate 10 percent rating for right knee meniscectomy from May 15, 2012, were granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for mechanical low back pain and retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to report for VA examinations and because of an earlier effective date claim. The claims will be remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including total knee replacement surgery and residuals, is granted as secondary to their service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are inadequate due to a lack of information regarding functional loss during flare-ups. Therefore, new VA examinations are required.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to January 23, 2018, and 70 percent from that date. Both ratings are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee arthritis due to inadequate VA examinations.

The reduction in the disability rating for extension of the right knee from 30 percent to 0 percent was improper and void ab initio, and the 30 percent rating is restored. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings and secondary service connection for various disabilities, including lower back pain, left ankle, left hip, right hip, and right knee disabilities, are denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions were caused by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being submitted after the last decision. The Veteran did not waive AOJ consideration of this evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, as well as headaches of unknown etiology and general weakness. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.