Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for his right knee scar and service connection for a left knee condition secondary to the right knee scar have been dismissed as he has withdrawn both claims.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral knee condition is related to his military service, and has ordered additional VA examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn by his representative during a May 2017 Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and adjudication. The issues include seeking higher evaluations for her right knee conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 100% since November 21, 2016. The Board granted a higher rating based on the severity of his condition following left knee replacement.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of lay evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to it. The appellant must provide any outstanding private treatment records, including those from North Shore University Hospital at Southside and a nursing home where the Veteran received care after being discharged from the hospital.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the disability rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper due to an inadequate examination report.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of records related to the Veteran's knee and shoulder injuries.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in the examination reports and remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to obtain the appropriate range of motion testing and an update on his medical treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially related to his military service or any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability warrants staged ratings of a combined 30 percent (20 percent under Code 5258 and 10 percent under Codes 5003-5260) prior to September 18, 2015; and a combined 20 percent (10 percent under Code 5259 and 10 percent under Codes 5003-5260), but no higher, throughout from that date.

The Veteran's asthma, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, and depression), back disability, cervical spine disability, heart disability, bilateral ankle disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral shoulder disability are not service connected. The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss were found to be aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint conditions and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea and TBI. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, tinnitus, left shoulder disorder, hypertension, low back disorder, and erectile dysfunction are all found to be related to his military service. Service connection is also granted for the extension of a temporary total evaluation due to right shoulder surgery.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, and the case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's right knee disability, manifested by symptoms of painful motion, clicking, deformity, weakness, instability, swelling, and interference with standing and walking, is currently rated at 60 percent under Diagnostic Code 5055. The Board has determined that the Veteran's overall disability picture more closely approximates a 60 percent rating throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on whether his knee disabilities are related to service or secondary to his spine disability.