Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hinged knee brace tends to wear and tear his clothing, which meets the criteria for a clothing allowance for the 2014 calendar year.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee disability, residuals of a right rib resection, and right flank scar. The effective date issue is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that the conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service. The examiner concluded it was less likely than not that the minor injuries during service could lead to severe enough knee disorders requiring replacement.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of left and right knee disabilities due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's left total knee arthroplasty is rated at 30 percent since September 1, 2009 and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative changes in bilateral knees with left knee patellofemoral syndrome and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claim is being returned to VA for further review.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the disability rating from 20 percent to 0 percent for traumatic injury, right knee was improper. The Veteran's appeal is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for his right knee surgical scar and an evaluation greater than 10 percent for chronic synovitis of the right knee are remanded. The propriety of reducing his rating from 10% to zero percent effective February 1, 2016 is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral knee disorders, and hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from August 10, 2000, to June 19, 2006. The Board granted a TDIU during this period.

The claim to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for left knee arthritis is granted. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection for right leg disability, bilateral foot disability, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The examiner is instructed to provide an opinion on whether the veteran's current knee disorders are related to his military service, including any osteochondritis dissecans that may have existed prior to enlistment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the consideration of new evidence in his file, including VA treatment records and examination reports. The issues include a rating increase for mechanical low back pain, instability/laxity of right knee, and limitation of extension/painful motion of right knee.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disorder was denied as new and material evidence was not received. The right knee disorder, status post-operative, is now considered to be secondary to PTSD.,PTSD remains at a 50% rating.

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeal from the appellant's representative, thus dismissing the case.

The Veteran's central pain syndrome was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,The left knee disability was first shown many years after service and the VA examiner opined that it is less likely as not caused by or related to service. The examiner also stated that the left knee disability is not aggravated by the service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. Additional evidence and a new examination are needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, as secondary to a service-connected degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran's knees are currently rated as 0% disabling.

The Veteran's left shoulder and left knee disabilities have increased in severity since the last VA examination. The Veteran is being asked to provide updated medical records and undergo further examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for a more current examination and clarification of his hearing request.