Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence added to the file after the January 2016 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including avascular necrosis of the left talus with secondary severe degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left ankle, migraine headaches, narcolepsy, and ACL tear of the left knee with traumatic arthritis, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including the residuals of a laceration, is being remanded due to inadequate examination and incomplete factual basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU due to inconsistencies in VA examination reports and need for further development.

The Veteran's left and right knee strains are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no additional functional loss or instability found. The current ratings do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability, low back disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia) in January 1985 and May 1997. The current appeal seeks to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by early mild DJD and slight instability, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist, knee, and ankle disabilities were incurred in service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was caused by service. Tinnitus was also found to be incurred in service. Service connection for lumbar spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional VA examination and treatment records, as well as to provide the Veteran with a medical opinion regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella has been granted a 20 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision. The restoration of a 20 percent rating for his lumbar spine condition is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and will be remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. Myron Fink and preparing an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the service connection of hypertension.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent and his left knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are not found to warrant higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities of the left and right shoulders, knees, and ankles are as likely as not attributable to his active military service.

The Board has ordered additional development to be completed, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions are taken.

The Veteran's right knee scar is currently rated at 10 percent, effective February 6, 2008. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for the period of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is not proximately due to, aggravated by, or the result of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left hemidiaphragm elevation with restrictive lung disease and sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and reviewing the medical records. The Veteran's right knee disability is being evaluated to determine if it relates to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.