Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular percentage requirements for a total rating, and thus did not warrant an extraschedular TDIU. The Veteran was previously employed but lost his job due to taking prescribed medication for pain related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development on issues including service connection for a low back disability, increased ratings for knee and ankle disabilities, and psychiatric disability. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss, osteoarthritis of the ankles or knees, hypertension, or gastritis for VA benefits purposes. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorders have been granted increased ratings, with the left knee receiving a 20 percent rating effective November 1, 2012. The low back disorder claim was withdrawn prior to January 9, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5257 (for internal derangement) or 5010-5260 (for arthritis).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are related to his combat service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims were denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or subluxation/inability to use either knee.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability and obtain relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disorders have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and left leg venous stasis and deep venous thrombosis prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment from August 2, 2006 to June 16, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is only 70 percent, which does not meet the requirement of at least one disability rated at 40 percent or more with a combined rating of 70 percent or more. The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable solely due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance, as he can perform most activities of daily living without significant assistance.

The Veteran's neck mass is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left elbow disability is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,PTSD has been rated at 30 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating. However, it does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.,Bilateral plantar fasciitis has been rated based on severity prior to February 1, 2017 and after that date.

The Veteran is entitled to an initial compensable rating for his lumbosacral strain with myofascial pain of the mid back around the scapulae, and a TDIU effective November 30, 2011.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for hypertension and found new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The claims for muscle and joint aches, pulmonary disorder, sinus disorder, and liver disorder were not addressed as they are considered separate issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his left knee disability and determine if he is entitled to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disability that was incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the Veteran's left knee disability from May 9, 2017. The maximum schedular rating of 60 percent is assigned after one year following the implantation of the prosthesis.