Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions regarding the relationship between a documented in-service left knee injury and current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, with resolution of reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her left knee disabilities and consideration of functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to several issues, including a need for new VA opinions on left knee and ankle disorders, low back disorder, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran does not have a current left ankle condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,The Veteran does not have a current right shoulder condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current right shoulder condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current lumbar spine condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,The Veteran does not have a current bone condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,The Veteran does not have a current right hand carpal tunnel syndrome condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current right hand carpal tunnel syndrome condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current left hand carpal tunnel syndrome condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current left hand carpal tunnel syndrome condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current right knee condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current right knee condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current left knee condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current left knee condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current right hip condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,The Veteran does not have a current left hip condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of right knee stress fracture was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or arthritis, as there was no compensable limitation of flexion or extension and no arthritis providing additional basis for a separate rating.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with no additional functional loss due to pain or other factors. The current ratings are deemed appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum to the January 2017 VA examination report.

The Board finds that the appellant's current bilateral knee disability is not related to his service, and thus denies the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination of his right knee and consideration of the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic left knee disorder or right toe fractures (2nd and 4th) in service, nor within one year following discharge. The VA examiner found the current conditions are not related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for PTSD is denied as there is no evidence of the condition in service or since service.,Service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is denied due to lack of diagnosis within one year after service and insufficient evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to make an informed decision on the Veteran's claim for service connection of his right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 30 percent from December 1, 2010 to August 29, 2011. The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for this period.

The Veteran is granted a 20 percent disability rating for his right shoulder osteoarthritis, effective from the date of the decision. For his right knee sprain prior to November 22, 2016, he is granted a noncompensable disability rating; after that date, he is granted a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for mood and anxiety disorders, right knee arthralgia, and a nerve condition on the right side of face due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and opinions addressing the current nature and severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition resulting from total knee replacement is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.