Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection due to incomplete records, particularly those from his Reserve service. The claims will be returned for further development including obtaining missing Reserve service records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's left leg injury with knee pain was granted a 30% disability rating since May 16, 2018. A separate 10% rating for instability of the left leg injury with knee pain is also granted. The Veteran's scars on his left leg associated with the knee pain are rated at 20% since May 16, 2018.

The Board has referred the claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of right and left knee disorders to the AOJ. The issues are remanded pending resolution of these matters.

The Board has granted clothing allowances for the use of right and left knee braces, as well as a back brace in 2014. The Veteran's use of these braces caused damage to his clothing due to their design. However, the claim for a wrist brace was denied because it was not related to a service-connected disability, and the TENS unit and topical medication claims were denied based on lack of evidence showing they caused damage to clothing.

The Veteran's left knee total replacement residuals are rated at 30 percent, which is the minimum rating after a total knee replacement. The evidence does not show more than noncompensable limitation of motion or severe painful limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee osteoarthritis and instability, likely preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of August 30, 2018. Prior to this date, the disabilities did not prevent employment.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for a bilateral hip disorder and an increased rating for DJD of the left knee. The AOJ needs to review new evidence, including VA examination reports and treatment records, before making decisions on these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA orthopedic examination to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities under the revised criteria effective February 7, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is related to his period of service, and thus grants service connection for a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's right knee instability is rated at 30 percent, effective February 11, 2009. The left inguinal hernia repair disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has dismissed the claim for a TDIU as it is not properly in appellate status and does not have jurisdiction over this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his service, as well as the potential aggravation of these conditions by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and reopening of service connection claims related to his knee conditions, low back strain, tinnitus, and hepatitis C.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability. The lumbar spine disability was granted a 20% rating but not in excess of that.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee was denied. The VA determined that the residuals from total right-knee replacement did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 17, 2010 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.,On August 13, 2015, the Veteran's TDIU claim from that date forward was also denied because none of his service-connected conditions (other than adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood) on their own or collectively met the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and back conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is asked to provide information about her treatment records from military facilities and a private doctor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following any substantially gainful employment prior to January 13, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete information.