Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is about the calculation of a $4,357.49 debt related to FY 2015 military drill pay collected with VA disability compensation pay. The RO incorrectly computed the amount due based on the Veteran’s 100% disability rating when he was rated at 20% disabling during his 40 days of receiving drill pay in FY 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and for an increased rating for her right knee injury due to additional development being necessary.

The Board granted higher initial ratings for the right knee arthritis disability, slight lateral instability of the right knee, and left shoulder disability from February 1, 2010 to March 25, 2013. The cervical spine disability was denied a higher initial rating since March 26, 2013.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the right knee are not service-connected. However, frostbite residuals of the bilateral feet have been granted as a result of new evidence submitted after reopening the claim.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for right knee instability from October 1, 2009 to December 12, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for a left hip disability and eligibility for payment or reimbursement for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only, both of which are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left knee subluxation is granted with a separate rating of 10 percent, effective from November 28, 2014. The ratings for his left knee patellar tendonitis and degenerative arthritis as well as his lumbar spine sprain are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis C, dizziness, a back disability, a right knee disability, chronic fatigue, chronic abdominal pain, joint pain and an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to hepatitis C due to inadequate explanation in the May 2018 decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied.,No new or material evidence was presented to reopen the service connection claim.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability. The decision on the back disability is due to lack of evidence showing it began during service or was related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left knee instability and osteoarthritis due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with retropatellar pain syndrome and left knee degenerative arthritis are granted increased disability ratings, effective as of January 30, 2020. The effective date for the right knee meniscal tear is set at June 15, 2012, and for the left knee meniscal tear at September 5, 2018.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10% each. The RO has denied the initial rating claims for closed fractures of the right calcaneus (right foot) and left heel (left foot). The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability.

The Board has decided that additional information is needed from the October 2020 VA examiner to properly assess the Veteran's right knee conditions, and therefore, the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder is rated at 100% since October 19, 2011. Bilateral pes planus with right foot hallux valgus is rated at 50% since February 28, 2005. The left knee limitation of flexion and medial meniscal tear are separately rated at 10% and 20%, respectively.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, back, and acquired psychiatric disabilities as secondary to a pre-existing condition. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's left knee disability: a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of reconstruction, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for instability, and an initial compensable rating for surgical scars. The remand requires additional development including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting a new examination, and providing a retrospective opinion on the impact of flare-ups.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for left and right knee disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her right knee instability has also been denied.

The Veteran's left middle finger deformity has been granted a 10% rating.,Service connection for the left forearm condition is granted, but service connection for the right knee and right leg conditions are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, TBI, cervical spine disability to include arthritis, and right knee disability due to new evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development including VA examinations.