Citation Nr: 22016238
Decision Date: 03/21/22	Archive Date: 03/21/22

DOCKET NO. 18-38 431
DATE: March 21, 2022

REMANDED

A rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee degenerative changes and internal derangement.

A rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee instability.

A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

REASONS FOR REMAND

At the November 2021 Board hearing, the Veteran asserted that his left knee disabilities had worsened since the last examination in May 2018. As such, a remand to schedule a new examination is in order. 

As to a TDIU, the Veteran testified that he had retired from his job due, in part, to the service-connected left knee disabilities. As such, the issue of TDIU has been reasonably raised by the record. 

As TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the rating of left knee disabilities, after conducting the development described above and any necessary to determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on employability, the RO should adjudicate whether a TDIU is warranted.

The matters are REMANDED for the following actions:

1. Identify and obtain any pertinent, outstanding VA and private medical treatment records and associate them with the claims file.

2. Schedule the Veteran for an examination in order to determine the current severity of his left knee disabilities. All necessary tests should be performed, and the results reported.

3. Take any development determined necessary to adjudicate the claim of entitlement to a TDIU.

 

 

L. HOWELL

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	T. Grzeczkowicz 

The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.