Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's right knee instability is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5257 for other knee impairment with slight instability. The Board found no evidence of more than slight instability or recurrent subluxation/dislocation.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. However, he is denied special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance as his dementia contributes to his inability to perform daily activities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable from November 30, 2007 to July 14, 2015 and as 20 percent disabling thereafter. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee was rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received after the initial decision. The Veteran's substantive appeal was submitted in June 2008, and no waiver of RO review was provided within 45 days.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and instability, is currently rated at 20 percent. The semilunar cartilage condition with frequent episodes of locking and pain is separately evaluated as a separate disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board found that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, and right knee disability is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to November 1, 2004 were denied. The Board found that the schedular criteria adequately covered his right knee disability throughout the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee injury is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and further legal analysis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted increased evaluations, with the highest rating of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left hand.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as degenerative joint disease and retropatellar pain syndrome, has been granted a 10 percent rating since August 27, 2011. The claim for service connection is considered new and material.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Board videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, diagnosed as thoracic and lumbar spine strain, and cervical spine disability, diagnosed as cervical spine strain, are related to her service.,The Board also found that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to her service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral knee disability, as the May 2012 VA examiner's opinion was based on insufficient information and did not consider the Veteran's lay statements about documented joint pains.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral pes planus, left and right knee disabilities, and low back disability have been denied. The highest rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes is already assigned.

The Veteran's right knee disability, secondary to service-connected residuals of a right femur fracture, is rated at 10 percent since July 20, 2010. The rating for the right femur fracture remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and foot disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year of his military service. The current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for a chronic disability.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor is there evidence to support a presumption of service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his right knee disability (prior to May 28, 2010) and TKA are also rated at 10 percent. The low back disability is rated at 10 percent, the right ankle/foot injury prior to March 1, 2017 is rated at noncompensable, and bilateral pes planus from March 1, 2017 is rated at 30 percent. Hammer toe deformities of both feet are rated as noncompensable.

Your appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing. Your claims for service connection are still pending.