Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability, specifically his total knee arthroplasty, is rated at 30 percent since May 1, 2012. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied. A TDIU was granted on an extraschedular basis from April 21, 2006 to March 20, 2011 and on a schedular basis from March 21, 2011.

The Board remands the claims for further evidentiary development and to ensure compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ankylosis of a knee or hip, or loss of use of a hand or foot such that no effective function remains other than that which would be equally well served by an amputation stump at the site of election below the elbow or knee with the use of a suitable prosthetic appliance. Therefore, eligibility for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only is denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for hepatitis C, bilateral knee disability, and back disability were granted. The claim for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's left leg radiculopathy is granted with a rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran's right knee condition has been rated at 30 percent since January 15, 2020. The left knee tendinitis has also been rated at 30 percent since that date.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral pes planus with pronounced symptoms, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease are granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a maximum schedular rating of 50 percent for his bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including degenerative joint disease, patellofemoral pain syndrome, lateral meniscus tear, and shin splints, are related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and service connection for right knee disability are being remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining SSA records and the timing of evidence submission.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis on a presumptive basis. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's right hip and right knee disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of shrapnel wound in the right thigh. A disability rating of 40 percent is granted for the residuals of shrapnel wound, right thigh, muscle group XIV.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection. The left shoulder, right ankle, and left knee disabilities are denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee instability prior to July 15, 2019 is denied. The Veteran's arthritis in the left knee with painful motion prior to July 15, 2019 is granted at a 10 percent rating. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of left knee replacement from September 1, 2020 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now granted. The Board found new and material evidence that supports the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, plantar tendonitis, heel spurs, knee disabilities, and ankle disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder, to include meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear employment status and income information, which is needed to determine if the Veteran's work qualifies as substantially gainful employment. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered based on this additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for readjudication due to a lack of consideration of recent evidence in the April 2020 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his total right knee replacement was denied by the Board. The current evaluation of 60 percent is maintained, as it reflects chronic residuals including severe painful motion in the affected extremity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.,New evidence has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for neck disability and right knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right sciatic radicular pain, right hip condition, right knee condition, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, left hip condition, and left knee condition. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.