Knee Board decisions

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of a right knee disability. The Board dismissed the appeal as per the Veteran's request.

The Board granted a TDIU from August 28, 2015, based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The decision also remanded the issue of whether she should receive a TDIU prior to that date due to her inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and bilateral hip disabilities due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of increased ratings for bilateral knee and right shoulder disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim due to a remote most recent examination. The Veteran will need more current examinations to assess their current level of disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip, left hip, and right knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The rating for mechanical back pain with degenerative disc disease remains remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance by another person due to her service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, urinary incontinence, migraines, pelvic inflammatory disease, irritable bowel syndrome, knee conditions, and sexual arousal disorder. The decision grants SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's chronic left foot disability and right knee disability were both granted service connection. However, the claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TMJ disability is related to her active service and remanded for further examination of her knee, ankle, and foot disabilities. The issues of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, right and left ankle disabilities, and left foot hallux valgus are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, bilateral leg/knee disorders, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claims were based on his assertions of in-service trauma leading to current disabilities, but the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining National Guard service records and medical opinions regarding his knee conditions and hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and post-operative left knee injury were denied. A 10 percent rating was granted for left knee instability.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathies, are granted. The Veteran's right shoulder disability and right knee disability remain in dispute.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for alcoholism as secondary to PTSD and cirrhosis of the liver as secondary to alcoholism has been dismissed due to his withdrawal request.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran reported in-service bilateral knee injuries, but the VA examiner found no current diagnoses. The Board requests a new examination to determine if any identified conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of left knee flexion and extension, as well as TDIU prior to September 4, 2018, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 10 percent for either limitation of flexion or extension. For TDIU, the Veteran's combined ratings from service-connected disabilities were less than 70% before September 4, 2018.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the Veteran's left elbow scar. The right knee disability claim is being remanded due to inadequate examination and need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to receipt of additional VA medical evidence. The AOJ is instructed to consider this new evidence and provide notice with an opportunity to respond.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right thumb/hand disorders, right elbow and ankle disabilities, left hip strain, neck disability, and left shoulder disability due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee and left hip disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. Service connection for sinusitis is granted on a presumptive basis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot and knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of pes planus, hammertoes, and degenerative joint disease have been continuous since service separation.