Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left ankle condition is rated at 10 percent prior to May 21, 2019, and at 20 percent thereafter. The right knee conditions are both rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for residual hernia surgery scars and right ear condition is granted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hand, knee, and foot arthritis as well as a skin disease (rash) due to additional development being necessary. The Veteran's service connection claims are based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee scars warrant an increased rating of 20 percent, but denied his claim for a higher disability rating for his chondromalacia, left knee status post meniscectomy with instability (left knee disability) for the period from April 1, 2014, through April 27, 2016. The case is being remanded to allow further development and consideration of these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability. The Veteran is required to undergo a new examination and provide an opinion on whether his current right knee disability is related to service.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have residuals of a broken right leg other than his already service-connected status-post surgical ORIF/osteocentesis of the right knee with post-surgical complications and residuals and right hip joint replacement.,The Veteran's left hip condition is remanded for further examination to determine if there are any current diagnoses or functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions. The issues of service connection for various knee, back, and shoulder disorders are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining missing private treatment records and providing a new VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hip disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's complaints during and after service formed a continuity of symptoms and credible lay evidence supports this conclusion.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and remanded the cases regarding service connection for right knee condition, residuals of TBI, and PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in disturbances of motivation and mood but do not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas or an inability to establish or maintain effective relationships.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent. A separate 20 percent rating for symptoms analogous to dislocated semilunar cartilage of the right knee with locking, pain, and effusion into the joint has been granted since March 1, 2021.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his left shoulder and left knee disabilities have been dismissed as he has withdrawn them.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for painful motion of the bilateral knees, wrists, and feet was denied. The Board also granted TDIU effective October 11, 2005, and eligibility for DEA benefits effective that date.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his right knee disabilities have been granted with an effective date of February 23, 2016. As a result, the appeal is dismissed as there are no longer any disputed issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances due to the use of a back brace and left knee brace in 2018 are granted. However, his claims for Clotrimazole cream, Hydrocortisone cream, and Lidocaine ointment causing damage to his outer garments in 2016 were denied.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance due to use of prosthetic or orthopedic appliances or medication. The Board found that the medications did not cause irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Board has granted service connection for back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses of scoliosis, spondylosis, and bilateral knee strain are considered in determining the relationship to service.,Service connection is denied for an intestinal disorder as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected total left knee replacement is remanded due to conflicting findings in the most recent VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and his instability is also rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus remains rated at 10 percent, but the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of arthritis during or within one year after service and concluding that any current osteoarthritis is not related to service.

The Board denied a separate compensable rating for a right knee limitation of motion due to scar, finding that the Veteran's scars do not result in any functional limitations of the right knee.