Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and for additional examinations. The issues of service connection for a headache disorder, psychiatric disorder (PTSD), heart disorder, skin disorder, and right knee disorder are still under consideration.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to incomplete information and need for additional development, including an addendum opinion considering the Veteran's current enrollment in a vocational rehabilitation program.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and knee osteoarthritis.

The Board denied service connection for respiratory, leg and knee disorders. However, it granted a 10% rating for residuals of nose injury/deviated septum.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including scheduling a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, bilateral foot disorder (status post removal of ganglion cysts), right knee disorder, left knee disorder, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 is rated as 60 percent disabling since November 26, 2013. The RO also granted SMC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) effective from the same date. TDIU is moot due to the Veteran's already being in receipt of a total disability rating for individual unemployability based on service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the bilateral knees, right hip, and right shoulder is related to service. However, hypertension was not present in service or until years thereafter and is not etiologically related to any incident of active duty service.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for left knee strain with degenerative joint disease and right hip arthritis, finding the evidence did not support an increase in either condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorders did not manifest within a year of discharge and were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee synovitis. The claims for low back, psychiatric, cardiac, and urinary disorders are also denied.

The Veteran's DJD of the right knee was previously rated at 10 percent prior to September 20, 2010. The RO granted a temporary total evaluation from September 20, 2010 until November 1, 2011 based on surgery or other treatment necessitating convalescence.,The Veteran's arthritis of the right hip with limitation of flexion was previously rated at 10 percent prior to August 5, 2016. The RO increased this rating to 30 percent from August 5, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome has not met the criteria for a higher rating since July 12, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for review of additional evidence received since the March 2016 rating decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore grants entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated as 20 percent for posttraumatic postoperative sequelae arthrotomies and 10 percent for DJD. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee DJD results in limitation of motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it is not manifested by more than moderate limitation.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent, effective April 1, 2008. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his disability has been characterized by pain, stiffness, weakness, swelling, popping, giving way, and locking, with flexion limited to no more than 135 degrees and full extension.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issues of service connection for hemorrhoids, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder, TDIU, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee laxity. The remaining issue is his claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a 20 percent disability rating for right knee laxity.

The Veteran's polyarthritis of the hands and feet, including gout affecting the right great toe, is rated at 20 percent since February 2, 2017. The other conditions have been granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied. His bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 40% prior to April 19, 2013 and increased to 60% from December 15, 2016.