Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid & attendance or housebound status is remanded due to outstanding private treatment records. The issue is inextricably intertwined with the other SMC claim and service connection claims.

Service connection for left knee, right knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders is denied.,Service connection for back disorder is denied as not caused or aggravated by service-connected hernia disability. Service connection for groin disorder is denied as separate from the Veteran’s service-connected hernia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or Diagnostic Codes pertaining to knee disorders.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for the claim of entitlement to an increased rating for a right knee disability.

The Veteran is granted a separate rating of 10 percent for cartilage loss prior to April 27, 2004 and his right knee disorder rated at 60 percent from June 1, 2005. The effective date for the 60 percent rating remains pending further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine DJD and right knee disability were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee disability and hypothyroidism due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine the current severity of his disabilities, including range of motion studies and assessment of flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to issues with scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee disability and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The appellant's STRs and records from his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA need to be verified.

The Board denied service connection for rhabdomyolysis of the arms, bilateral hearing loss, and a bilateral knee disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or related to service.

The Board has found that the VA examinations conducted in August 2016 were inadequate for rating purposes and remanded the claims for further development.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for entitlement to service connection for a left knee replacement. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for right and back disabilities is dismissed.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss, and the claims for bilateral knee conditions, heart condition (also claimed as atrioventricular block and endocarditis), anxiety, and depression are remanded due to a lack of evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on employment. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for allergic rhinitis, increased ratings for right shoulder and left knee disabilities, and increased rating for hemorrhoids. The claim to reopen and grant service connection for low back disability was granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to December 29, 2017, and 50 percent since then. The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee disability was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and left hip and knee conditions, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is denied for an increased rating for left knee instability and granted a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, but he is eligible for financial assistance in purchasing one automobile or other conveyance due to his service-connected left knee disability.