Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to her claimed right knee, right foot, upper right arm, or lower right side pain. The claim for service connection for left hand condition is granted as she currently has a diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain and hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a new VA examination for PTSD and left knee disability. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine if there are any characteristic prostrating attacks related to his migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a need for a new VA examination as his knee condition has worsened since the last examination in June 2016.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left knee disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the claim.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a noncompensable initial rating for tension headaches prior to June 18, 2015. He was subsequently awarded a 50 percent rating thereafter.,Service connection is also granted for left knee disability, but the evidence does not show any current disability of the left knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including medications prescribed for such disabilities, have caused or aggravated his hypertension. As a result, the Board finds that he is entitled to SMC based on aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which includes traumatic arthritis following total knee replacement and revision surgery, does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 30 percent. The evidence shows that his range of motion is within normal limits with no significant functional loss or weakness.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability and any right ankle disability. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with the left knee rating issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability. He also needs to provide evidence linking his bilateral knee disabilities to service.

The Veteran is granted three annual clothing allowances for the year 2013 due to wear and tear on his upper body clothing caused by his neck brace, forearm crutches, and right knee brace.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The appellant has withdrawn all issues on appeal. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and back conditions are not related to his military service, either on a direct or secondary basis.

The Veteran's current right knee degenerative joint disease began during, or was otherwise caused by, his active duty service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the Veteran's right knee medial meniscus tear and degenerative arthritis, effective from November 29, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee DJD is not related to his military service and does not meet the criteria for service connection. The left hand disability claim was also denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including left knee instability and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent prior to August 30, 2010. A separate 10 percent rating for slight instability of the left knee is granted for the period prior to August 12, 2010. A 30 percent rating for severe instability of the left knee is granted beginning on August 12, 2010.,The Veteran's service connection theory was direct.