Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service connection claims for left knee and shoulder disabilities were not granted. His claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain with postoperative DDD at L5-S1 was partially granted, but the TDIU claim prior to September 1, 2010, is held in abeyance.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left knee disability and the Board finds that there is no evidence of a chronic disease or injury incurred in service. As such, the claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was aggravated by service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The low back disability is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions to determine its etiology.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia, did not have its onset in or as a result of military service and is therefore not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and extension of a temporary total convalescence rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination and completion of the VA Form 21-8940. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated based on the updated information.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA vocational rehabilitation records. A new VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the combined impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's left knee disability was found to be manifested by noncompensable limitation of motion, dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking and pain, and slight lateral instability. The VA determined that the current ratings were appropriate for this period.

The Board found that the Veteran's current knee and nerve disorders did not manifest until decades after her active period of service, and the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that they are otherwise related to her active service or resulted from an injury incurred during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. The Veteran's osteophyte was also found not to be related to her service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and right knee disabilities, as well as his traumatic brain injury.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request from the appellant's representative.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate previous examinations. The AOJ should attempt to obtain any outstanding medical records and contact the Veteran and his representative to seek out additional evidence or opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to secure and follow any form of substantially gainful employment prior to May 13, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine, lumbar spine, left shoulder, right knee, and right foot disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active service. As such, these claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantial gainful employment since 1994, but his claim for TDIU prior to March 1, 1998 is dismissed as moot due to the assignment of a 100% rating for total knee arthroplasty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and medical treatment records. The left knee disability rating and TDIU claims will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his right knee disability has been granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective from January 23, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and readjudication due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the etiology of his right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee DJD with mild lateral instability and entitlement to a TDIU due to his service-connected left knee disabilities. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were related to military service or aggravated by other service-connected disabilities.