Knee decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability is not caused or worsened by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee conditions have been rated based on limitation of motion and instability. The current ratings are found to be appropriate.,The Veteran has not provided evidence that his service-connected right knee disability is related to a left knee or lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to August 28, 2006 and 20 percent since that date.,The Veteran's right and left foot cold injuries are both currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rate of SMC was granted, and the effective date for this grant was set at May 13, 2014. The Veteran also received an earlier effective date for his entitlement to SMC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's allergic rhinitis and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The case is being remanded to further develop evidence regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, as it has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, secondary to his right knee disability, has been granted. He is currently rated at 10 percent for arthritis of the right knee prior to October 29, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disorders and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a relationship between any right or left knee disorder or psychiatric condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle and left knee disorders are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, and that there was no evidence of a cervical disorder or bilateral hip/knee/shoulder/ankle disorders related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling, and locking, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling since February 29, 2008.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for transverse myelitis. The claim for right and left knee disorders is still pending, with the Board requesting additional medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 22, 2008 for TDIU is denied as there was no evidence of a timely filed claim. The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing allowance or special home adaptation grant is also denied due to lack of qualifying service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a personal hearing due to his inability to attend early morning hearings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The issues on appeal include service connection for low back, left knee, and left ankle disabilities; a higher rating for headaches; and TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and bilateral foot disorder, but denied them on the merits. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records and an examination for his right shoulder, left knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities.