Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the threshold percentage requirements to establish eligibility for TDIU, but his unemployment is due to non-service connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for a separate rating for left knee instability is granted, and the case is remanded for further development to address issues related to increased ratings and functional impairment.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 100% from May 3, 2018. The right knee disability is granted a separate 10% rating for instability since January 7, 2013 and the Veteran is granted TDIU effective from that date. Special monthly compensation based on loss of use of hearing is granted as of May 3, 2018.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities and to address his claim for TDIU. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board is requesting additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his back disorder, hypertension, right knee condition, left knee condition, right lower extremity nerve damage (secondary to right knee), and left lower extremity nerve damage (secondary to left knee).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding records from the Miami VA Healthcare System and provide the Veteran with another opportunity to submit additional evidence. A VA examination will be arranged for the Veteran to assess the severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee arthritis, right lower leg shin splints, and a right arm condition. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The claim of service connection for bilateral knee condition is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence of left ankle strain, right knee degenerative joint disease, chronic ingrown toenail of the great toe of the right foot, and gingivitis. The Veteran's flat feet are already service-connected.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development of the Veteran’s bilateral knee claims, including addressing issues related to flare-ups and swelling.

The Board denied service connection for low back and knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his service-connected foot disability.

The Veteran's hypertension and prostate cancer are being remanded for further development.,Service connection is also being remanded for the Veteran’s knee disabilities, as well as his thoracolumbar spine disability. The effective dates of service connection will be determined based on the evidence provided during this process.,A TDIU rating is also being remanded due to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as the severance of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders were denied multiple times, including in a final July 1971 decision. The most recent denial was in July 2007, which became final. Therefore, the effective date is set at December 8, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's knee conditions had their onset during service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for right knee, bilateral hip, and low back disabilities due to the need for further development and medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation and evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, and thus remands the case for further examination and opinion.