Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for depression, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right foot plantar fasciitis and left foot plantar fasciitis were denied. The RO assigned non-compensable ratings to these disabilities.

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

The Veteran is entitled to a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected right above-the-knee amputation and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which together preclude locomotion without the aid of an electric wheelchair.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent effective May 19, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating for GERD.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, characterized as sprain with arthritis, is appropriately compensated by separate ratings for instability and limitation of motion. The current rating of 10% is maintained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination of his right knee disabilities. The claim for TDIU will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her service-connected right shoulder and left knee disabilities were denied by the RO. The Board finds that additional development is needed to properly address these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the eligibility requirements for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaption grant due to his unsteady balance and coordination issues, which are not severe enough to qualify him under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision denying service connection for right and left knee disabilities, to include as secondary to service-connected tibial periosteal reactions of both lower extremities, is not supported by adequate medical evidence. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining additional VA examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating for his knee conditions has been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including sending a VCAA notification letter to the Veteran's current address and giving him an opportunity to respond.

The Veteran's left knee disability, manifested by painful movement but with normal range of motion and stability, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and right knee disorders were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher disability evaluation.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized as patellar tendonitis with internal derangement and loss of motion following ACL repair, is rated at 20 percent for the period prior to March 7, 2008. The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee joint.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and notification letter.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and adjudication due to missing VA treatment records from the Tampa VAMC.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee scars and arthritis, residual right knee injury, status post surgery. The Veteran's initial ratings of 10 percent each have been upheld.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorders are not related to service, and therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and initial rating for instability of the left knee were denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee disorder or any other disability related to service. For the left knee conditions, the Board noted that there was no limitation of motion but did not find sufficient evidence to grant higher ratings based on X-ray findings.