Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that further development of the medical evidence is required to determine if the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee degenerative arthritis contributed to his death. The case is REMANDED for this purpose.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion and instability, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for TDIU has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, and knee disabilities were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service aggravation or a service-connected condition that caused the current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, effective March 12, 2010. The Board found that the evidence was in relative equipoise as to whether symptoms of left knee instability more nearly approximated slight lateral instability from March 12, 2010 to May 23, 2017, and granted a separate initial rating of 10 percent for this period. From May 23, 2017, the Veteran's left knee instability was found to more nearly approximate slight lateral instability. The Board also found that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran regarding his TDIU claim on a schedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left and right knee total arthroplasty residuals were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened and granted effective May 30, 2013. The Board also determined that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of May 30, 2013 for his low back disability, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, painful healed scar of the right forearm, and nonpainful healed scar of the right forearm.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues on appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by instability and meniscal tear, warrants a separate rating of 20 percent for episodes of left knee cartilage 'locking,' pain, and joint effusion.

The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU on a substitution basis for the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded due to failure to provide an SOC.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA/VA-Medical Center (VAMC) treatment records. The Veteran also needs a new examination for his right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder and knee disabilities, specifically degenerative joint disease, are at least in relative equipoise with his service-connected right knee disability. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions as secondary to his right knee disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right knee disability. The VA examiner found the condition less likely due to service, but did not consider his statements of continuous physical training during service and recent treatment records from 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bilateral knee disabilities combine to preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, which the Board finds is due to his unemployability caused by these conditions. The Board grants TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's left knee disability is not service-connected as there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability is not etiologically linked to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his claims for increased ratings and service connection are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and associated radiculopathy, is rated at 40 percent effective from March 5, 2013. The right knee disability remains service-connected but no specific rating or effective date was provided.

The Veteran's left knee replacement received a one-year evaluation of 100 percent following the revision surgery on October 20, 2005. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.