Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's back disability is not rated higher than 40 percent due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,Her right knee disability, including instability and limited flexion, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Left total knee replacement is already at its maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's history of dysplasia of the cervix and vagina warrants a 30 percent rating due to symptoms that cannot be controlled by continuous treatment.,Urinary incontinence requires absorbent materials changed more than four times per day, but does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee small joint effusion with subcentimeter ruptured popliteal cyst, also claimed as a left knee sprain.,The Board has also granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), also claimed as a back condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left little finger has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The new evidence does not relate to the issue.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for injury right thumb has been readjudicated due to the submission of relevant evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for arthritis with limitation of motion, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for residuals of the meniscectomy. The left knee disability remains at 10 percent for arthritis with no additional issues addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as migraine headaches due to lack of a VA examination. The Veteran contends that his current knee disabilities are related to his service, while his migraine headaches may be related to pre-existing conditions or service.

The Board has remanded cases involving the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a disability of his right arm. The remand is due to insufficient discussion regarding medical opinions related to these claims.

The Veteran's right knee disability and sleep apnea are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right and left knee braces, used for service-connected knee replacement disabilities, caused his clothing to wear out or tear. The Board granted annual clothing allowances for the 2018 calendar year.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, left knee disability, and diabetes mellitus, Type II due to a lack of service treatment records. A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected left and right knee lateral patellar friction syndromes due to inconsistencies in a previous VA examination report.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since his discharge from active duty in April 2005, and the Board has granted an effective date earlier than May 9, 2008 for the grant of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for breathing problems, neck disability, right knee disability, right ankle disability, ulcerative colitis, pre-cancer of the colon (claimed as colon cancer), headaches, epigastric hernia, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of flexion of the left knee with traumatic arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and testing.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left hip, right knee, and low back disabilities secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is denied as there is no evidence linking it to active service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee condition, migraine headaches, and pain disorder with depression or persistent somatic symptom disorder are currently rated at the maximum available levels.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if any of the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to his service-connected right great-toe disability.

Service connection for right knee strain, left knee strain, PTSD, and sleep apnea has been granted.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development of records and an addendum opinion regarding whether VA was negligent in allowing the Veteran to perform physical labor and not providing him with a knee brace.