Knee decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, knee disorders, and an acquired mental disorder. The decision found that the Veteran's self-inflicted gunshot wound was due to willful misconduct, and there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current knee or mental health conditions and active service.

The Veteran's digestive system disability, including his liver tumor with IBS, is rated at 30 percent effective January 15, 2015. His hyperlipidemia and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for further examinations of his service-connected right knee bursitis and right ankle tendonitis.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, migraine headaches, and left knee disability have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative osteoarthritis of the right knee, status post arthroscopy for a meniscal tear. The evidence did not show limitation of motion warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to the use of his left knee brace is granted as he has provided competent lay evidence that the brace causes wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disorder, cervical spine disorder with degenerative changes, and right knee injury have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 30, 2010. The effective date for the TDIU is set at September 17, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is REMANDED to obtain new VA medical opinions, perform imaging studies on the Veteran's knees, and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee condition, including arthritis and chondromalacia, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating or separate ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 17, 2011 for a combined 60 percent disability rating for his service-connected left knee disabilities (degenerative joint disease; limitation of flexion; limitation of extension; instability). The evidence did not show that the Veteran met the criteria for separate disability ratings prior to September 17, 2011.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee arthritis is service connected as it likely developed due to his pre-existing left knee, right ankle, and right hip disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's service treatment records. The appeal is currently in a pending status.

The Board has determined that further action is required to properly evaluate the Veteran's left knee disability, including assessing functional loss due to flare-ups and repetitive use over time. The case is REMANDED for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's incarceration and inability to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is rated at 20 percent prior to February 4, 2015 and at 30 percent as of that date. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 10 percent. The Board granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations from December 1990 to May 1991 is considered qualifying. The Board finds that the Veteran's joint pain, which has been present for more than six consecutive months and meets criteria for a presumptive service connection due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not individually or collectively preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, particularly of a sedentary nature.