Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features, left knee arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, lumbar spine strain, cervical spine strain, hiatal hernia, left elbow dislocation, hypertension, hemorrhoids, post laceration of the right thigh with residual scar, and right shoulder surgical scar associated with right shoulder arthritis. As a result, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, depression, and an increased rating for a right knee condition due to additional evidence being added to his claim file.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar strain conditions are each rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that these evaluations do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.,For her knee, ankle, shoulder, hip, and urinary tract infection conditions, the Veteran's current evaluations remain unchanged as they are all rated at 10 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for separate ratings of right and left knee instability, but has remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Board has remanded the remaining issues for further development and examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% evaluation, effective October 11, 2019. The other conditions were denied increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current nature and extent of all impairment due to the service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran is also seeking higher ratings for his right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder (including degenerative arthritis), and gout due to duty to assist errors in obtaining relevant medical records and VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his left hip, right hip, lower back, and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected residuals of fractured left medial malleolus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot pain, right foot pain, and left knee pain. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to issues related to the appellant's service discharge and outstanding records from a Federal Correctional Complex.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees were denied as his knee disabilities did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation following his left knee surgery was denied because the records were received more than one year after the surgery.

The Board denied entitlement to a temporary 100 percent evaluation for service-connected right knee osteoarthritis, status post November 17, 2017 total knee replacement. The Veteran's appeal was granted for the left knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to a lack of medical opinion on file regarding the etiology of his right knee disorder, which is claimed to be related to his service-connected lumbar scoliosis. The Veteran must be given another opportunity to report for a VA examination in connection with his claim of entitlement for a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee arthritis have been denied as the evidence does not show compensable limitation of motion or functional impairment that would warrant a higher rating.

Service connection is granted for PTSD. Service connection is denied for cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability. The claims for service connection of the bilateral shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his current condition is not related to an in-service injury or event.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence does not support current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for right knee disability and right lower extremity sciatica/radiculopathy have been denied as new and relevant evidence has not been received. The claim for skin disability (uricaria) is established but the service connection remains to be determined.