Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation higher than 10 percent for right knee degenerative joint disease and entitlement to a separate evaluation for right knee instability, as well as service connection for left knee disorder secondary to her service-connected conditions. The issues have not been resolved.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the claim for service connection for a bilateral leg condition. The Veteran's stroke is remanded, as are his claims for left knee and right knee conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, scars, and hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 22, 2013. As such, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 40 percent effective July 12, 2015. The Board denied the claim for a combined rating of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding an August 2017 VA medical opinion. The Veteran's right knee condition is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical examination. The issues include tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, anxiety), erectile dysfunction, flat feet, right knee injury, and left knee injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his right below-the-knee amputation and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical limitations.

The Veteran's disability ratings for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with associated Erectile Dysfunction and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Residuals were restored to their previous levels of 70 percent and 40 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is granted with a 10 percent rating, effective from February 23, 2018.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right toe disability and service connection for left knee disability are remanded due to scheduling issues and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened and is being remanded to determine the validity of the reported stressors.,The Veteran's claim for a left knee disability has been reopened and is being remanded to attempt to corroborate the reported stressor.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities as there have been no timely perfected appeals since the May 2015 decision.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus was denied, as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.,An initial evaluation of 50 percent for depressive disorder was granted, subject to controlling regulations applicable to the payment of monetary benefits. The Veteran’s depressive disorder symptoms include depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, disturbances of motivation and mood, impaired judgment, and panic attacks more than once a week.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was remanded. The condition manifests with painful motion and flexion better than 45 degrees.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee degenerative joint disease have been denied as the evidence does not show that either condition warrants a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left great toe numbness has been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities, including painful aching joints of the entire body and osteoarthritis. The VA will obtain relevant medical records from VA, SSA, and private providers, and schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, but he is entitled to TDIU benefits effective November 22, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and the need to obtain relevant private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with a previous remand directive. The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease needs further evaluation, including consideration of his self-reported symptoms during flare-ups and after repeated use.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are related to service. The claims were reopened due to new and material evidence received since the April 1968 rating decision.