Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's right knee disability has been manifested by occasional flare-ups of pain and intermittent limitation of motion, without joint instability, subluxation, or significant other disability. The current 10 percent disability rating is maintained as the evidence does not show any additional functional loss due to painful motion, weakened movement, excess fatigability, incoordination, or malalignment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, finding that it is caused by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not due to or aggravated by a service-connected right knee disability. The preponderance of evidence does not support the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and to schedule him for appropriate examinations. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability and back condition was granted, with an effective date of July 8, 1992. The rating assigned is 100% (total) for the right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and for service connection for various undiagnosed illness-related conditions. The issues of new and material evidence were also addressed, but no new or additional evidence was provided to reopen the low back disorder claim.

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated 10% for degenerative joint disease and instability, effective April 25, 2006.,His hypertension with mild renal insufficiency has been rated at 10%, effective February 9, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for extension of a temporary total rating beyond December 31, 2007 based on convalescence due to left knee surgery performed in October 26, 2007 and service connection for residuals of a right ankle fracture involving the distal fibula as secondary to his service-connected bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD did not have its onset in service and is less likely than not caused by his military service. The right knee disability was also denied as it is less likely than not related to or aggravated by his service-connected ankle disability.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim for service connection was received on November 13, 2009. The effective date of the award of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee is set at May 10, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been granted with initial noncompensable ratings from April 14, 2011 to May 21, 2014. Effective May 21, 2014, the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent disability rating for each knee.,The decision was based on the findings of painful motion in both knees during flare-ups and noncompensable flexion and extension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates have been denied as there is no evidence of a claim or entitlement prior to the assigned effective dates.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a contemporaneous examination of his right knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and PTSD, but denied service connection for low back strain, left knee disability, right knee disability, and hypertension. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD are related to his wartime experiences.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for left knee instability was granted, with the effective date set at August 23, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for left knee disability were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him helpless in the performance of activities of daily living and in protecting himself from everyday hazards, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for an updated VA examination of his left knee disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.