Knee decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and multiple physical disabilities, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. However, due to his employment during part of the appellate period, further evidence is needed to determine if his employment constitutes 'substantially gainful employment' or 'marginal employment'.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient development of evidence, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the current knee disabilities and the April 2004 injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU from June 1, 2016, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service-connected.,There is no current evidence of a left elbow disability, and the claim for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is not service-connected.,His erectile dysfunction and chest pain are not service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis due to inadequate examination and clarification needed regarding the Veteran’s left knee limitations.

The Veteran's left knee pain and subluxation are rated at 10 percent each, while his TKR residuals are rated at 30 percent. The appeal is granted for the 10 percent ratings.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a recent VA examination report. A new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since December 29, 2011. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to limited flexion and no instability or other conditions.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, headaches, back condition, nose condition, bilateral hearing loss, patellofemoral syndrome with hyperextension injury and suspected ACL involvement of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and residuals of a right shoulder injury. The Board has determined that further development is needed for these issues.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The ratings for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder, and right knee disorder are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, and foot disabilities due to inadequate consideration of lay statements and buddy statements in the VA examiner's opinions.

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion, and a separate evaluation of 10 percent has been granted for symptomatic removal of cartilage. The current rating reflects the Veteran's symptoms without additional limitations.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis status-post meniscectomy is currently rated at 50% from October 16, 2018. The right knee osteoarthritis status-post meniscectomy remains at a 10% rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected diabetes and has granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran also has been awarded special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ due to erectile dysfunction. However, several other claims have been remanded as there are outstanding records needed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for prior to June 14, 2018 is granted. The VA has also remanded the issues of ratings for left knee flexion and extension.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, including ratings for tibia and fibula impairment, limitation of flexion, extension, and instability. The Board has determined that further development is needed due to incomplete examination reports.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not substantially comply with its remand directives and has therefore ordered further development for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right ankle, and left ankle conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board has remanded several claims including those for lightning strike residuals, numbness in hands and toes, GERD, skin disorder, discoid lupus, cataracts, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and PTSD.