Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right lower extremity sciatica, including EMG testing if consented to by the Veteran. The issue of SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance is also pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee post-operative arthritis. The issues of rating for the right knee and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of her symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee disability was also denied because the degree of additional limitation due to pain and other factors did not result in limitation of motion more nearly approximating flexion limited to 30 degrees.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and extension of a temporary total rating are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to use of custom insoles/sling supports was denied as shoes are not classified as articles of 'clothing' that can be damaged by wear and tear for purposes of a VA clothing allowance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.,Specifically, the VA examiners found no nexus between the Veteran’s current diagnoses and her military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a rating of 40 percent, effective from November 7, 2017. The Board also reopened his service connection claim for bilateral knee disability and remanded it for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing VA examinations. The issues include rating increases and TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple disabilities were denied, and the effective dates assigned are not earlier than February 27, 2017.,VA did not grant an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate as the Veteran did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% prior to February 27, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right above the knee amputation and a higher rating for his cervical spine disability. The claim to reopen was denied, and the increased rating claim for the cervical spine disability was remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for residuals of left great toe fracture and service connection for left foot disability and right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, as well as his claim for TDIU. The remand is due to the need for a new VA examination that complies with the requirements of Sharp v. Shulkin.

The appeal for service connection and rating of the Veteran's back, right knee, and left eye disabilities is remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The temporary total evaluation claim will be addressed after resolving the service connection issues.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's OSA is not service connected on its own, but may be secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The decision is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding whether the knee disabilities caused obesity, which in turn caused the OSA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right ankle, and right knee disabilities have been granted. The right knee disability was denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease. The low back and right ankle disabilities were reopened based on new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for chronic kidney disease and dismissed all increased rating claims for DJD in the shoulders, knees, and lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The effective dates of the granted benefits are specified.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and lumbar spine conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent left knee injury residuals and dismissed the appeal regarding traumatic brain injury residuals.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral dry eye syndrome is dismissed as the benefit sought has been fully granted.,Service connection for a back disability is denied due to lack of evidence linking current symptoms to military service.,Headaches are not rated higher than zero percent, as they do not meet criteria for more severe ratings based on frequency and severity.,Right knee osteoarthritis prior to July 24, 2015 is granted a staged initial rating of 10 percent.,Right knee osteoarthritis from July 24, 2015 onwards is denied as the current symptoms do not warrant higher ratings based on severity and limitation of motion.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet criteria for compensable ratings.,Sinusitis is not rated higher than zero percent due to lack of evidence of incapacitating episodes.