Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral knee chondromalacia has been rated at 40 percent for each knee, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5257. The claim for TDIU is denied as there is no evidence that her service-connected disabilities render her unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a residual lateral meniscus tear, was rated at 10 percent prior to August 25, 2010. A separate rating of 10 percent for instability beginning October 22, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disorder has been granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent effective May 2, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, as well as left and right knee disabilities, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for DJD of each knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal. The Board granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder and right knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and thoracolumbar spine disorder due to insufficient development of medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is proximately due to his service-connected left knee total replacement, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a compensation and pension examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability. The examination must include range of motion testing for pain on both active and passive motion, in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as well as right knee strain. The evidence does not establish a medical nexus between an in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable disability rating for tibia and fibula, knee disabilities, and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to increased severity since the last VA examination. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and finds that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service diagnosis. The issues of increased rating for Left Ankle Disability and cause and aggravation of Right Knee Disability by Left Ankle Disability have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right hip strain and right knee degenerative joint disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knees are remanded. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is reopened, but the issue remains pending and will be addressed after obtaining additional evidence. The Veteran's low back disability may potentially be related to an in-service incident.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claim for varicose veins is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for her left knee disability prior to September 15, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and are related to a qualifying chronic disability. Other gastrointestinal issues will be addressed in the remand section.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to clarify the nature and etiology of his claimed ankle and knee disabilities.