Knee decisions — 2024

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been granted increased disability ratings, but the effective dates are set to August 12, 2015.,The Veteran's right foot disability (hammer toes of the right foot with bilateral pes planus) has been dismissed as a claim.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if a higher initial rating for the service-connected left knee limitation of extension disability and SMC entitlement are warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's combined disability rating was correctly calculated as 80 percent prior to September 4, 2019. A higher combined rating is not warranted.

The claim for service connection for right upper extremity ulnar nerve damage is granted. The claims for increased ratings of patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, left knee, and laceration scar of the right elbow are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective November 18, 2019.,Service connection for the left shoulder strain, status post left clavicle fracture was denied as there were no compensable symptoms prior to November 18, 2019.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from working from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007 and from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional development and examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand disabilities remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability (claimed as arthritis) remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (claimed as arthritis) remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae remains pending.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected right ankle strain remains pending.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a VA examiner's curriculum vitae and private medical records. The RO will also schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his hip, shoulder, knee, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened to the extent that they impact his everyday life. The Board finds new VA examinations are needed for a more accurate assessment of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all remaining issues on appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and tinnitus have been granted. Effective dates prior to March 24, 2017, are not established.

The Veteran's appeals for right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and right arm disorders have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims.,The Veteran's appeal for testicular disorder has also been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claim.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including panic attacks, memory loss, anxiety), a low back disorder, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, right knee, left knee, and gastrointestinal disorders due to new evidence received since the final October 1996 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacies in the December 2022 VA examination and failure to address part of the December 2021 Board remand directives. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination for his left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions, finding that he does not require regular aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete findings in a previous VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability and whether obesity was an intermediate step between his service-connected back disability and the claimed condition.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding back disability, left knee disability, arthritis, right foot disability (secondary to left knee), and residuals of breast cancer due to radiation. The records from VAMC Chicago and any related Social Security Administration records are requested.

The Veteran's right and left knee strain residuals are granted service connection. The Veteran's recurrent upper extremity neurological disabilities (idiopathic neuropathy) are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent from February 27, 2015, to July 30, 2015. From July 31, 2015, to October 23, 2017, the rating was increased to 20 percent for pain, locking, and effusion; subluxation or instability requiring a brace; and limitation of motion during flare-ups.