Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to work.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the right knee meniscus tear was not caused by his service-connected back and foot disabilities. For benign positional vertigo, the evidence did not support a finding of peripheral vestibular disorder. The bone loss of skull is considered less than a quarter in size. The PTSD with anxiety disorder, OCD, and cognitive disorder alone has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The TBI residuals have been rated appropriately.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of any unadjudicated formal or informal claim prior to July 5, 2007.

The Veteran's iliotibial band syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees were not found to warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is currently in remand status due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and address the issues of his left and right knee disabilities, as well as coccydynia and TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right big toe disability, left big toe disability, and right knee disability. The Board found that there is no current evidence of these disabilities related to service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, thoracic spine compression fractures, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome. Headaches were not found to be related to service.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's right knee condition based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities have been considered. The left knee is rated at 10 percent, and the right knee has a separate rating of 10 percent based on limitation of extension.

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

The Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease is rated at 20 percent effective from July 7, 2010. The Board denied an increased rating for the disability prior to that date.

The Veteran's right knee bursitis and degenerative arthritis do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his left knee disability was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's right knee lateral meniscal tear, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for TDIU is deferred pending assignment of an initial disability evaluation for the thoracolumbar back disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability and right hand traumatic arthritis were granted a rating of 10 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder and a rating in excess of 20 percent for his back disability. The claim for TDIU prior to October 23, 2014 was also denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a noncompensable rating prior to October 2, 2013 and a separate compensable rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage (meniscus) since October 2, 2013. The claim for an increased rating based on arthritis with painful limitation of motion was denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to September 29, 2017, is rated at 30 percent for residuals of right knee trauma with mild laxity and a separate 20 percent rating for torn meniscus. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is currently rated at 30 percent under DCs 5257 and 5261. The Veteran has been granted a separate rating for his surgical scars.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and further development is required.