Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease prior to June 26, 2014 was rated at 10 percent and from June 26, 2014 to August 18, 2014 at 20 percent.,After the total knee replacement on August 18, 2014, his left knee disability was recharacterized as status post left knee replacement with a minimum rating of 30 percent from October 1, 2015 to September 1, 2016 and since November 1, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of an in-person examination and the Veteran's refusal to undergo one. The claim will be reconsidered after the requested examinations are completed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA benefits determination. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, as likely as not, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment. The Board finds that the service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to preclude the Veteran from maintaining gainful employment and TDIU is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement since August 1, 2012, is manifested by intermediate degrees of residual weakness, pain, or limitation of motion without evidence of residuals analogous to extremely unfavorable ankylosis in flexion. The criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the aforementioned issues, and they are hereby dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his right knee disability and left epididymis orchitis with left hydrocele was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining treatment records and providing a VA oncologist's opinion regarding the Veteran's bone cancer and throat disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted prior to June 28, 2016. The issue of TDIU for the period beginning June 28, 2016 is moot due to her combined rating of 100 percent.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the left shoulder disability effective May 27, 2014. The Veteran's calluses of the feet are rated at 10 percent each and his hypertension is service-connected.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a current disability for any of the conditions she claimed, and thus denied all service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current left knee and left foot disabilities are not a result of his military service, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left hip and right knee disabilities are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied these claims. The Board also determined there is no evidence of a TBI or left hand numbness.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees have been rated at 10 percent each, but his claims for increased ratings are denied as there is no evidence that either knee warrants a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is etiologically related to his service, with the opinion being in relative equipoise. Therefore, service connection for a right knee disability is granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased ratings for headaches and chest scars, as well as service connection claims for a lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral pes planus, psoriasis, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to address the relationship between her current disabilities and service, including her period of active duty training in January 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic arthritis of the right knee and left ear hearing loss disability. Service connection was denied for a right ear hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities involving his hips, knees, ankles, feet or back. The arthritis of multiple joints is not service connected as it did not manifest within one year after separation from service and there is no evidence linking it to service. The bilateral hip disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and back disorder are also not service-connected.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for coxa vara, right hip, and for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative joint disease, right knee.