Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, previously rated as chondromalacia with internal derangement, was upgraded to a maximum of 60 percent rating since January 1, 2016 following total left knee replacement.,Prior to March 15, 2016, the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, also previously rated as chondromalacia, was upgraded to a minimum of 30 percent rating since January 1, 2018 following total right knee replacement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and private medical records. The appellant's status as a Veteran and his claims for service connection will be reconsidered.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for scoliosis and also denied her request for an increased rating for her bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his in-service injury resulting in a right patella fracture, and thus service connection for this condition is granted. The preponderance of evidence does not support service connection for left shoulder or gastritis disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and a total disability rating were denied. The Board found that the effective date for service connection of degenerative changes to both knees with fibromyalgia should be March 26, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to address his claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, Osgood-Schlatter's disease and osteoarthritis, left knee, and incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the right and left knees.

The Veteran's lumbar and left knee degenerative joint diseases were not found to warrant higher initial ratings, with the exception of a 20% rating for lumbar degenerative joint disease from October 28, 2009 through March 26, 2012.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to May 1, 2016 and found that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in thinking and mood.

The Veteran withdrew the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with MDD during his March 2017 Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected scleroderma disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, GERD, right and left knee disabilities, and ED are all found to be related to his service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on new evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied them based on lack of evidence showing a nexus to in-service noise exposure. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition was not addressed as it is considered new and material.

The Board found that the withholding of compensation benefits to recoup disability severance pay in the amount of $6,392.00 was proper and denied the Veteran's appeal.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee condition and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's right knee disability is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been reopened, but the evidence does not support a higher rating or service connection for any of his claimed conditions.