Knee Board decisions

The reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 20 to 10 percent for his right knee disorder, based on instability, was improper. The Board has restored the prior 20 percent disability rating.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU consideration and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied increased ratings for left knee disability and lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities have been denied, and his claim for a right hip disability (claimed as a right femur disability) has been remanded.,Effective dates for the awards of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities are also denied.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a low back disorder, right hip disorder, and right knee disorder. The remand requires obtaining additional medical records and providing an examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that the Veteran's right eye condition did not contribute to his death and thus denying the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability is denied as the evidence does not show moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and consideration.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA and/or private treatment records, schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination(s) to determine his need for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, and address whether he meets the criteria for special monthly compensation.

For the period from August 22, 2017, an increased evaluation of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis is granted.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability claim remains on appeal as additional evidence is needed to determine if it is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability as there is no current diagnosis of a knee disability and the evidence does not establish that it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease and recurrent subluxation of the knees are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess their current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his right thumb disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of his right knee, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for instability of his right knee due to failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as service-connected.,Right knee patella chondromalacia and DDD of the lumbar spine are granted as secondary to a service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and foot disabilities due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions, including a need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left knee disability and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee was granted service connection as it had its onset in service and has continued since service.

The Board denied compensation benefits for right leg amputation below the knee due to a lack of evidence showing VA's fault in causing or worsening the Veteran's condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of rating in excess of 10 percent for his right and left knee disabilities due to a lack of recent examination records and the Veteran's dispute regarding the adequacy of the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right wrist disability, are being remanded for additional development due to the possibility of increased severity since the last VA examinations.