Knee Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for total right and left knee replacements, finding that the osteoarthritis leading to these surgeries is at least as likely as not due to or a progression of his service-connected internal derangement of the knees. The temporary total ratings for both knees are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, particularly those related to radiation exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cardiomyopathy, as well as the ratings for right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the condition is related to service, including a specific in-service injury, and if it is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee strain is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorders.

The Veteran's claims for neck, low back, and right knee disabilities have been reopened. The low back disability claim is remanded due to new evidence received since the April 2014 rating decision. The right knee and right hip disability claims are also remanded as they may be related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right elbow disabilities, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee tricompartmental degenerative osteoarthrosis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not caused by his time in active service.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and remanded the claim of an initial rating higher than 70 percent for TBI with bipolar disorder, manic episode with mixed features. The Veteran's petition to reopen his right knee osteoarthritis claim was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his active duty service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and extraschedular TDIU was denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's HIV is found to be secondary to her service-connected PTSD. The Board also finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen her claims for low back and right knee disabilities, but does not provide a specific disposition on these issues.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability requires a remand for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an orthopedic examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a left knee disability due to conflicting opinions and need for additional medical examination. The Veteran's representative raised a theory that his current left knee disability is related to his service-connected bilateral ankle disability, but there are conflicting opinions on this issue.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent for patellofemoral pain syndrome. The Board denied a higher rating, finding that the flexion limitation did not meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5260. A separate 10 percent rating was assigned for extension limitation under Diagnostic Code 5261. TDIU is granted from May 12, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flatfoot disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, right and left eye disabilities, right and left knee disabilities, and a back disability. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence to decide the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not show he was in need of regular aid and assistance.