Knee decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee and left ankle disorders, as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions to determine if these conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for right ankle, left ankle, right knee, and left knee conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, back disability, and left knee disability have been reopened. The new evidence provided current diagnoses of these conditions, which were not present at the time of the previous denial.

The Veteran is granted an annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2016 due to use of a right knee brace, as his service-connected disabilities necessitate its use and cause wear and tear on his pants.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, neuropathy of the right forearm and hand, and right knee status post meniscal tear, rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantial gainful employment prior to August 8, 2014.

The Veteran's service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and low back disorder was granted effective January 28, 2009. The claim for a higher rating for the low back disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome were granted a 10 percent rating from January 6, 2013 to July 29, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was previously denied due to the condition being preexisting. The new evidence submitted does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, and thus cannot serve as a basis to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with no separate ratings for instability or dislocated semilunar cartilage.,Effective February 17, 2017, the Veteran is granted a separate 20 percent rating for each knee due to dislocation of semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain and effusion.

The Board dismissed all appeals seeking increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including PTSD and residual wounds. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated 70 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The claims for back disability, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, nerve conditions of the upper and lower extremities, left knee disability, lung condition (COPD), and skin condition have not been reopened.,Service connection was denied for a back disability, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, nerve conditions of the upper and lower extremities, left knee disability, COPD, and skin condition. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for TBI, PTSD, and tinnitus. The previously denied claims of service connection for residuals of left knee trauma, asthma, and GERD were reopened.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted. The case will be remanded to obtain a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, right knee arthritis, and fibromyalgia (muscle pain and cramps) have been granted.,Service connection has been established for right knee arthritis and headaches.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee total knee replacement and right knee degenerative joint disease due to insufficient medical opinions in the previous VA examination. The Veteran needs a new VA orthopedic examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to October 14, 2016, and for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability due to issues related to service connection. An additional VA examination is needed to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from February 8, 2015 until April 12, 2018 due to her service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing or following a substantial gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right knee total arthroplasty is granted prior to January 13, 2012 with a 30% rating. From that date onwards, the Veteran is assigned a 30% rating for his right knee condition.,Prior to November 19, 2015, the Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at 0%. From that date onwards, he is assigned a 20% rating.