Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 20 percent since January 25, 2010. The right and left knee disabilities were each rated at 10 percent since December 29, 2009.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for headaches, bilateral leg and knee disorders (including the knees), as secondary to her service-connected major depressive disorder and jaw disorder. The effective date of the grant is March 23, 2010.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted, with a rating of 30 percent effective November 4, 2009. The kidney condition claim is denied as there is no evidence that the benign cyst may be related to ionizing radiation exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right knee, left knee (post-ORIF and TKA), and low back disabilities are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has granted effective dates of August 11, 2006 for the service connection of cold injury residuals of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran is also eligible for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities resulting in loss of use of limbs.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying the Veteran's address and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's current right knee condition is not related to her active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is service-connected, as it was incurred during his active military service. The claims for cervical spine and bilateral knee conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has ordered the case back to VA for additional development due to an inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities and right middle finger fracture residuals are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and adjudicating the TDIU claim. The Veteran's right knee disability rating remains in dispute.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease of both ankles, and chondromalacia with x-ray evidence of degenerative joint disease of both knees. The Board found that there is no medical evidence showing a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's right knee brace tends to wear and tear her clothing, which qualifies her for an annual clothing allowance.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented her from securing and following any substantially gainful employment from October 1995 to March 14, 1997.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's meniscus injury, lateral side, right knee with arthritis does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 15, 2014. For the period since May 15, 2014, he is rated at 20 percent for his meniscus injury and 10 percent for limitation of flexion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for an extraschedular rating prior to October 14, 2008 and a higher rating from that date were granted. Service connection was established for bilateral knee disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his right hip condition, right knee condition, status lost left eye abrasion, and migraine headaches.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current symptoms and diagnostic criteria.