Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and therefore his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids from March 19, 2015 to April 16, 2018 is denied. Service connection for a right foot disorder is granted. The claims of service connection for left knee disorder, low back disorder, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis, left knee chondromalacia, and spondylosis of the lumbar spine have been denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 11, 2016. Therefore, an earlier effective date for the TDIU is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition due to the lack of evidence of a current disability and no link between his in-service right knee treatment and any present left knee issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is granted. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis is denied. The claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to evaluate the current level of severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, including range of motion testing and consideration of pain during use.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's knee instability and its relationship to his service-connected knee disabilities. The case is being remanded for a VA examiner to provide clarifying opinions on these issues.

The Veteran was unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various lower extremity conditions, including the left leg below the knee amputation and its associated scars. The effective dates for these grants of service connection are not yet determined.

The Veteran is granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee as it is a chronic disability that has continuously manifested since separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of bilateral plantar fasciitis due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition and denied entitlement to TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone not rendering him unemployable.

The Veteran's right knee was granted a 30 percent rating effective June 14, 2018. The left knee received a 40 percent rating effective the same date. Separate ratings of 20 percent were granted for symptomatic meniscus in both knees since April 21, 2012.

The Board has requested a medical opinion and the Veteran submitted additional evidence. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and thus granting the benefit of the doubt to the Veteran. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's current service-connected disabilities which are believed to be contributing factors to his current right hip condition.

The Board has remanded three issues: entitlement to a higher disability rating for left knee limited motion, entitlement to an initial higher disability rating for left knee instability, and entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate. The Veteran's service-connected left knee conditions are being evaluated again due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a left knee disability. The Veteran was not diagnosed with these conditions during or within one year of his separation from service.,The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a left arm disability due to a laceration sustained in service.