Knee Board decisions

The Board has restored the Veteran's 40% rating for his service-connected lumbar spine DDD and granted entitlement to a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for PTSD, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. Specifically, efforts are required to corroborate the Veteran's reported in-service stressors for PTSD, obtain service personnel records for relevant individuals, and request any identified medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluation for left knee disorder and service connection for right knee status post total knee replacement are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's hallux limitus is related to his service-connected pes planus. The Board finds that the VA Chief of Podiatry Section's opinion, which relates the Veteran's currently diagnosed hallux limitus to his service-connected pes planus, is the most probative evidence as to the etiology of the disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 100 percent, reflecting total occupational and social impairment. The claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and cervical spine disorder are granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disabilities, including bowel disability, bladder disability, nerve damage, spinal cord damage with residual low back disability, hip disability, knee disability, erectile dysfunction, immunity disorder, and spleen disability. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical evidence regarding whether these disabilities are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection was granted in September 2005, and a noncompensable rating was assigned. The RO raised the rating to 10 percent effective from September 1, 2006. The Board found that there is no evidence of arthritis or ankylosis prior to July 25, 2006, which precludes a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, evaluated as DJD of the right knee under Diagnostic Code 5259, warrants a rating in excess of 10 percent. However, due to the history and nature of the service-connected condition, the Veteran is entitled to reinstatement of his previously assigned 10 percent rating for postoperative status, right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background, as he is qualified for sedentary employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were partially successful. He was granted compensable ratings for his knee conditions, but denied an increase in evaluation for his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for her bilateral knee conditions were granted, with the effective dates being prior to May 1, 2012 for some issues and from May 1, 2012 for others.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee chondromalacia patella were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including post-total knee replacement residuals, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability and burn scars of the right foot. This includes obtaining relevant medical records, including from Dr. Teeny and VA Medical Center American Lake, and providing the Veteran with a comprehensive examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination to determine if current hearing loss, tinnitus, or right knee disability are related to service.

The Board has determined that service connection for a left leg disorder and right leg disorder is not warranted, as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability was denied due to lack of nexus between the claimed condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection and initial compensable ratings for right eye pterygium, left eye pinquecula, and right knee meniscectomy with osteoarthritis. The Veteran also received a higher initial rating for his right knee instability.,Service connection was established for the right eye pterygium, left eye pinquecula, and right knee meniscectomy with osteoarthritis.