Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for left knee instability from May 16, 2017 forward. The Veteran's left knee tendonitis and instability have been rated based on their respective Diagnostic Codes.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficiently severe to render him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his occupational background, and grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating in excess of 20 percent for instability of the left knee from May 7, 2014 to February 1, 2018 has been denied as it is not warranted given the assignment of a combined rating under Diagnostic Codes 5055 and 5257.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities and their impact on employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee conditions and service connection for a depressive disorder, right knee chondromalacia/degenerative joint disease, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claim to reopen his depressive disorder claim was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee and shoulder disabilities are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The claim for initial compensable ratings for hemorrhoids prior to May 14, 2013 and post-date January 1, 2011 remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors. Service treatment records do not indicate any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions. The Veteran's current psychiatric condition is being treated through counseling but does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disorder, or right knee disorder that is related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent, which is sufficient to warrant a TDIU. The Veteran has been found unemployable due to his chronic migraine headaches and other service-connected conditions.,The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including his migraines.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the current severity of his service-connected knee, hip, and ankle disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, as well as left knee injury, are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn, and his current bilateral hearing loss and right eye disability are not related to active service.

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

The Veteran is granted special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance due to confusion, inability to safely use a stove to prepare meals, and other needs such as bathing and dressing.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right knee disorder and granted it as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The acquired psychiatric disorder (Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety) is also granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. A rating of 10 percent is assigned for pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective April 29, 2013.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee strain are both granted service connection as they are directly related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome and osteoarthritis of the knees, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence as to whether these conditions had their onset in service. The Veteran's current symptoms are considered credible.

The Veteran's left total knee arthroplasty was rated at 30 percent from July 1, 2006, through January 8, 2007, and increased to 60 percent from May 1, 2008, forward.