Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if service connection is warranted for a left knee disability, including as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher evaluation and separate rating for his left knee disabilities due to incomplete discussion of severe painful motion, need for additional development under new criteria, and consideration of instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, left knee, right knee, and left foot nerve disabilities due to service. The VA will obtain any outstanding records and provide addendum opinions regarding the relationship of these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU prior to February 29, 2012, finding that he was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities before this date.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for right ankle disability is granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination. The claim for migraine headache is denied as there was no established link between current headaches and service.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for a left knee/left tibia disability is granted. The VA has remanded the cases of increased rating for right shoulder arthritis, rating for left shoulder surgical scars, and service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and trochanteric pain syndrome.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability and denied an increased rating for right knee limitation of motion. The Veteran's condition is rated as 10 percent disabling overall.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% probability that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are secondary to his service-connected gouty arthritis of the left ankle, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, left and right knee DJD, and entitlement to a TDIU prior to September 30, 2015 due to incomplete information in the examination reports.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation due to the need for aid and attendance and/or due to being housebound, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability as secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, finding that there is at least as likely as not that her bilateral feet disability was aggravated by her knees conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted a 60 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The left knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance from March 11, 2011 to January 22, 2018. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in him needing regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean, and protect himself from hazards.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability due to new and material evidence. The claims for right knee, left knee, and skin condition disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a meniscal tear and degenerative changes, is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a rating more than 10 percent for right knee patellar tendonitis with patellofemoral pain syndrome was denied. The Board also determined that the criteria for TDIU were not met.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a lung disability are denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as secondary to hearing loss, have been remanded.

Effective September 8, 2011, a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. Effective November 21, 2014, special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound level is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA opinions. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical opinions addressing his claimed lumbar spine, knee, ankle, and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is presumed to have existed at the time of his entrance into active duty service, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut this presumption. Therefore, the claim for service connection for right knee disability is granted.