Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for further examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left hip, left knee, and left wrist disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a disability manifested by impaired eyesight due to refractive error, and there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to service. The current bilateral knee arthritis was less likely than not incurred in or caused by the left knee problems that occurred while on active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for the reduction of his GERD evaluation from 30 percent to 10 percent is granted, and he is entitled to a restoration of the 30 percent rating. The issue of the appropriate effective date for this reduction is dismissed as moot due to the grant of the reduction. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for his bilateral knee braces for calendar year 2013, finding that the braces caused wear and tear to his clothing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service records and a need to provide the Veteran with proper notice regarding alternative sources of evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, hip and knee conditions, ankle, wrist, plantar fasciitis, and migraine headaches have been granted. The claim for psychiatric disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's spouse is not found to require regular aid and attendance, as she can manage her daily needs without assistance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist, left shoulder, and right knee disabilities have been granted. The right wrist is rated at 50 percent since September 25, 2014; the left shoulder is rated at 30 percent since September 25, 2014; and the right knee is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development and consideration of the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to an injury sustained during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and left knee disorders did not begin during service or are related to service in any other way.,Service connection for these conditions cannot be granted as secondary to a left ankle condition, as this issue was previously denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the right knee extension rating being extended to November 30, 2001. The left hip and right hip myofascial syndrome claims are pending.

The Board has ordered additional development to assess the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The case is REMANDED for this purpose.

The Veteran's right knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent for arthritis and instability, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only, as she does not have ankylosis of one or both knees or hips, nor does she have actual remaining function in her left foot that could be accomplished equally well by an amputation stump with prosthesis.

The Board found that the Veteran's right elbow disability was not incurred in or caused by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 30 percent prior to January 15, 2014 for instability and arthritis with limitation of motion. Since March 1, 2015, the Veteran is entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent for his status post total knee replacement.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is currently rated at 20 percent for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking,' pain, and effusion into the joint. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms are already addressed by the current rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable, as his difficulties were due to business financial issues rather than his service-connected conditions.