Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes a rupture of the quadriceps muscle and arthritis, has been rated at 30 percent prior to February 3, 2017. Since that date, it is rated at 40 percent. The appeal for higher ratings remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities (meniscus tear) secondary to service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The Veteran's treating physician opined that his current knee disabilities were caused by his service-connected IVDS, but the VA examiner disagreed. The case is now pending further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability, back condition, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right knee disorder is related to her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage requirements for TDIU, and his educational and occupational background make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has ordered the AOJ to obtain copies of service treatment records associated with the Veteran’s most recent period of service in the Army National Guard. The appeal is remanded due to issues with the examination reports and missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's residuals of total left knee replacement are currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and left knee condition have been granted. The initial higher rating claim for PTSD has also been granted, but the claims for headaches and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's left and right ear hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of current hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was also denied due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a disability for VA purposes.,Allergies, claimed as hay fever, service connection was remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if they are related to service.,Service connection for left shoulder disability, back disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disabilities were all remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional opinions.,Service connection for a heart disability (irregular heartbeat), hypertension, and allergies were also remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if they are related to service.,An initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was denied and the Veteran's appeal must be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, right ear hearing loss, left foot condition, and right foot condition are denied. The claim of service connection for a left knee condition is granted with new and material evidence received since the final May 1994 rating decision. The claim of service connection for a right knee condition is also granted due to new and material evidence received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral knee disability, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.,For bruxism, low back disability, and sleep apnea, the Veteran's claim is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-replacement, is rated at 60 percent effective from July 1, 2013.,Effective from May 8, 2013, the Veteran has a service-connected disability rated as total and an additional separate and distinct service-connected disability ratable at 60 percent. The criteria for SMC benefits are met on a continuous basis.,The issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot due to the award of a 60 percent rating for the right knee, which permits the Veteran to receive SMC benefits for the entire appeals period.,The Veteran meets the requirements for automobile and adaptive equipment financial assistance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders due to lack of new and material evidence, as the submitted evidence did not show ongoing disabilities or causation by active service.

The Veteran's service-connected right total knee arthroplasty rendered him unemployable from July 1, 2013 to March 4, 2015.

The claim for service connection of a left knee disability, right knee disability, and sinus disorder is granted. The claims for service connection of a left hip disability and right hip disability are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee TKA disability is denied as he has already received the highest allowable schedular rating of 60 percent.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for sleep apnea was granted. His claims for increased ratings on left and right ankle DJD, hypertension, and for a chronic left knee disorder were denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right plantar fasciitis due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records, including VA treatment records from Little Rock, Arkansas, and LSU in Shreveport, Louisiana. An examination by a medical professional must be scheduled to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis and right plantar fasciitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and evaluation of whether Reiter's syndrome is an active process since June 2014 examination, as well as determining if other orthopedic disorders are chronic residuals.