Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, and left knee based on range of motion. The appeal is being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, including an extraschedular consideration. The decision is pending and more evidence may be needed.

The Board denied a claim for an increased rating for right knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's disability was productive of painful and limited motion. The current 10 percent rating is maintained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his left shoulder, left knee, and low back disabilities. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded three claims related to the Veteran's right knee disability due to potential increase in severity since his last evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability remains denied as his range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including right knee and bilateral hip conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his condition and provide necessary range of motion measurements.

The Board has denied service connection for a left wrist condition and remanded the right knee condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint and skin conditions in his lower legs, hands, shoulders, elbows, and knees. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain the Veteran’s missing service treatment records and VA treatment records from December 2016 onwards.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 20 percent for left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear with residual scars, and separate ratings of 10 percent each for painful motion during extension (DC 5261) and left knee instability. The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the April 2015 decision. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and residuals of wisdom teeth removal, including nerve damage due to lack of VA examination and insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination for rating purposes, and ordered a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, liver transplant, and a kidney disorder associated with diabetes mellitus, type II. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied as there is no evidence of current disability or causation. The right knee disorder claim was remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic bilateral knee disorder in-service or within one year of separation from service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for accrued benefits, increased ratings, and service connection are all partially granted. The decision on accrued benefits is mixed as some issues were denied while others were granted. Increased ratings for CAD, right knee disability, fracture residuals, ED with impotency, and hearing loss have been granted or denied based on the date of death. Service connection for tinnitus has also been granted. SMC at housebound rate and based on regular need for aid and attendance have been awarded from specific dates. The TDIU was granted effective February 5, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis has been rated at 10 percent since March 30, 2011. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.