Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the appellant's knee and back disorders, as well as his HIV. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, lower back disorder, and left hip disorder have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151. Service connection was also denied for the Veteran's lower back and left hip disorders as they are not related to service or secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder.,The Board determined that there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's current left hip and lower back disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by service, within a year of discharge from service, or due to an event not reasonably foreseeable. The Board also found that the Veteran did not present any new and material evidence to reopen his claim for entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative osteoarthritis of the right knee is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The VA will be requested to arrange for a new VA examination that includes range of motion testing on active and passive motion, as well as weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability, and for obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee condition, including arthritis noted in February 2017. The claim will be readjudicated based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent since December 1, 2014. The effective date for this rating is June 29, 2010.,The Veteran's left hip strain has an effective date of June 29, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examination and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by limited flexion and extension, does not warrant a rating higher than the current 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes mellitus, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow such employment due to his age and the nature of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been rendered moot due to the complete grant of benefits sought on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of his claimed conditions, and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's pre-existing left knee disorder was aggravated by service, resulting in the need for a total left knee arthroplasty. The Board finds that service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his right knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing new evidence.

The Veteran's right thigh scars are not rated compensable, but his service connection for a right knee disability is granted. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current right knee condition was incurred during active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete evidence and need for addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.