Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, evaluated as 30 percent disabling since April 1, 2012, is granted. The appeal for higher ratings on other periods of time and for a separate rating for the right ankle disability is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's current left knee disability, including a strain and fracture, is considered to be related to his military service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and to obtain a comprehensive medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his neurological residuals associated with a history of a fracture of the left elbow.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, effective from November 16, 2009. The Board finds that his disability does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder and finds that new evidence received since the April 1968 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Veteran currently has arthritis in his right knee, which he experienced since service separation. His statements and testimony regarding continuous symptoms since service are sufficient to place the question of continuity of symptomatology in equipoise with the diagnosis of arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and left knee osteoarthritis with patella spur, but denied an increased rating for limitation of extension of the left knee. The Veteran's current disability ratings are as follows: 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis with patella spur; and 10 percent for limitation of extension of the left knee.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and new evidence is needed for both cervical spine disorder and left knee disorder claims.

The Veteran's claim for an additional clothing allowance based on use of a left knee brace was denied because the regulation does not allow multiple clothing allowances for wear and tear to distinct types of articles of clothing, as he already received three allowances for other appliances or medications.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye injury and initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain and instability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide further examination. The appeal is also related to an undiagnosed illness, but no specific exposure basis has been provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions and scheduling a VA examination to assess her acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for astigmatism/myopia/presbyopia and a left knee disability were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for astigmatism/myopia/presbyopia, while finding that there was sufficient evidence to deny the claim for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to September 8, 2009. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on his symptoms and findings from VA examinations.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for chondromalacia of the left knee, effective July 28, 2006. The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and back disability have been withdrawn. The TDIU claim is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.