Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran is granted a separate 20 percent disability rating for right knee limitation of extension from December 7, 2010 to July 11, 2011. For the period prior to July 11, 2011, his right knee degenerative joint disease does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder, cervical spine disability, joint pain in the arms, dizziness, headaches, numbness of the upper extremities, sleep disorders, and chronic fatigue syndrome have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, ovarian cyst, dermatitis/skin disorder of the face, and arthritis of the jaw/otalgia/TMJ disorder have all been denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria and he was still capable of performing light physical and sedentary work.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination for the Veteran's bilateral hip and left knee disabilities, as well as to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spondylolisthesis of L-5 sacrum was reopened and granted. The claims for stomach condition, left knee disability, right knee disability, and residuals of TBI were denied. The case is remanded for further review on the diabetes mellitus, type II associated with PTSD with depression and anxiety.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities. Service connection was also denied for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a stomach condition.,Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression) secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to insufficient rationale provided by VA examiners and incomplete medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of September 24, 2013, for his service connection granted for a left knee disability. The claim was filed on that day and there is no evidence of any prior claims or communications seeking this benefit.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee arthritis, cervical strain with arthritis, and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee brace is not prescribed for a service-connected disability, so he cannot receive a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. His skin cancer and peripheral neuropathy of the left, lower extremity are denied due to lack of evidence linking them to herbicide exposure during service. The left knee disability is also denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee, bilateral foot, and lower back disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease (IBS/GERD), hypertension, fatigue, and various knee and elbow disabilities has been denied as the evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during service or their current existence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, and left knee strain with calcific tendonitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for rheumatoid arthritis, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right ankle arthritis, and left ankle arthritis. The effective dates were not established as the issues are referred to the RO.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle, left ankle, and left knee disabilities due to lack of current diagnoses. The Veteran's TBI residuals claim is remanded for further development.