Knee Board decisions

An effective date of October 9, 2014 is granted for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability was improperly rated under DC 5262 for impairment of the tibia and fibula, but a proper rating based on his specific symptoms (meniscal impairment, arthritis) resulted in two separate ratings totaling 10%.

The Veteran's initial rating for a back disability in excess of 20 percent prior to February 11, 2014 and 40 percent thereafter is denied. The Veteran's initial rating for a left knee disability except for the period from October 25, 2013 to December 31, 2013 for which a temporary evaluation of 100 percent was assigned, is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the remaining issues due to outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral pes planus, right knee disability, right eye disability, and sinusitis are remanded due to the need for additional development of his service treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder), but these claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an exhaustive search for VA medical center records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records from the Social Security Administration (SSA) related to the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his knee, ankle, and hand disabilities due to unclear medical opinions and the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases due to new evidence of worsening symptoms. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, left knee tendonitis, and traumatic arthritis of the bilateral big toes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disability, right ear hearing loss, and bilateral knee disabilities have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to these conditions.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease related to the Veteran’s current headaches, hearing loss, or knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his bilateral hearing loss and right total knee replacement was denied. For bilateral hearing loss, the Veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating. For right total knee replacement, he is not entitled to a disability rating in excess of 60 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for her left knee scar, finding that there was no objective evidence of painful or unstable scars. The noncompensable rating currently assigned under Diagnostic Code 7805 is considered appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbosacral strain, ischemic heart disease, and various gunshot wound residuals, have resulted in loss of use of the lower extremities. The Board has granted specially adapted housing for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of verified in-service stressors. The temporary total ratings for right and left knee surgeries were also denied as the evidence did not show severe postoperative residuals or immobilization.,The Veteran's application for TDIU was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate duty-to-assist compliance. The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations or adequate medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD) have been granted. The case is remanded to further develop evidence related to these claims.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral knee disability, knee scars, and TBI. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and requests for additional evidence. The issues of service connection for right ear hearing loss, low back strain, left foot condition, right foot condition, and left knee condition are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has restored a 20 percent rating for right knee degenerative joint disease (DJD) from August 1, 2013.