Knee decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated based on their symptoms and functional impairment, with a separate rating for instability since September 12, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable evaluations for various service-connected disabilities are being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues including the evaluation of knee disorders, service connection for a low back disorder, and an initial rating for adjustment disorder. The effective date for service connection is also being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the claims by the Veteran through his attorney.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection decisions are made as a result.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied in September 2013 and not reopened.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertensive vascular disease was reopened due to new evidence, but the claim remains denied as there is no link between the condition and service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection for epididymitis was denied because there is no current diagnosis of the condition related to service.,The Veteran's claims for residuals of left above the knee amputation and right below the knee amputation secondary to hypertensive vascular disease were both denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection for hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and left knee disabilities due to new evidence. However, it is denied as there is no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee as secondary to a service-connected disability, specifically the Veteran's left knee replacement.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a right knee disability have been granted. The PTSD claim is based on combat exposure, while the right knee issue has been linked to in-service symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the issue of an increased rating for left knee disability.

The Board has granted an initial 10% rating for a left knee scar, but the case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a right knee disability and compensation for bilateral iritis. The temporary total evaluation claim is also remanded.

PTSD was denied for a higher rating, with the Veteran's condition not meeting criteria for total occupational and social impairment.,Right knee disability was denied for a higher rating due to limited range of motion without instability or other severe symptoms.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, right knee disability before total replacement surgery is rated at 40 percent, and right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent. Appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for headaches, right knee disability, left knee disability, back condition, sciatica/radiculopathy of right lower extremity, and sciatica/radiculopathy of left lower extremity due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected limitation of flexion of the right knee, residual of fractured patella, is found to be the proximate cause of his advanced osteoarthritis of the right knee with total right knee arthoplasty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot, upper/lower back, right knee, and left knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing aggravation during service or a current disability related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma. The cases of lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and Depression) are remanded due to the need for additional development.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, and hypertension. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending due to the need for additional records.