Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher evaluations or service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since July 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete compliance with a previous remand directive and failure to obtain medical records from Carraway Methodist Medical Center. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

Since January 31, 2017, the Veteran's left knee disability is manifested by limitation of flexion to at least 30 degrees and warrants a rating of 20 percent.,Since July 19, 2011, the Veteran's symptomatic residuals from his meniscectomy are manifested by swelling, popping, and locking and warrant a separate rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's left knee disability is not service-connected.,The cause of the Veteran's death is not service-connected.,Nonservice-connected death pension benefits are denied.,Burial benefits are not available due to lack of next of kin or sufficient resources.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic right tibia osteomyelitis and found that new and material evidence has been received. However, it denied service connection on the grounds that the pre-existing condition did not aggravate during service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, manifested by flexion limited to 100 degrees and extension limited to zero degrees with pain on range of motion testing, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, which includes chondromalacia patella and a status post reconstruction, does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral knee conditions, PTSD, or hearing loss/tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee status post-arthroscopy and partial meniscectomy, but denied service connection for right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip and left leg/knee disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and no medical opinion linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and service connection is granted.,Service connection is also granted for a right knee disability. The Veteran's left shoulder disability remains at the initial 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent effective July 28, 2016. The Board found that his service-connected right knee strain warranted a higher initial rating of 10 percent and denied the claims for left knee disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus claim is denied. The Board finds that the weight of the evidence does not support a finding that her bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service or her service-connected knee disabilities. For her right knee disability, the Board finds no basis to grant an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to November 9, 2009, and grants a 60 percent rating as of that date. The Veteran's left knee disability is also rated at 60 percent since November 9, 2009.

For the period beginning September 24, 2013 and ending April 12, 2017, your right knee disability has been evaluated at a 30% rating for limitation of extension. The evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives, requiring additional development and an addendum medical opinion.