Knee Board decisions

The Board has requested a medical opinion and the Veteran submitted additional evidence. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and thus granting the benefit of the doubt to the Veteran. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's current service-connected disabilities which are believed to be contributing factors to his current right hip condition.

The Board has remanded three issues: entitlement to a higher disability rating for left knee limited motion, entitlement to an initial higher disability rating for left knee instability, and entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate. The Veteran's service-connected left knee conditions are being evaluated again due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a left knee disability. The Veteran was not diagnosed with these conditions during or within one year of his separation from service.,The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a left arm disability due to a laceration sustained in service.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 10 percent evaluation for osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion, and a 10 percent evaluation for extension. Right knee instability received a 10 percent evaluation.,For the left knee, the Veteran received a 10 percent evaluation for osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion, and a 20 percent evaluation for moderate instability. The residuals from his total knee replacement were granted a 60 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examinations, lack of consideration of all relevant evidence, and new evidence added since the last SSOC. The Veteran is required to provide VA treatment records, complete a VA Form 21-8940, and provide IRS tax returns.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 6, 2008 due to the evidence not showing unemployability based on one service-connected disability. The Veteran was found to be substantially employed at that time.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip, low back, and left knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left foot disability due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions. The Veteran asserts these conditions are related to his service-connected left foot disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to a final Board decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome (runners' knee) with chondromalacia patella in both knees have been denied as the evidence does not show flexion limited to less than 45 degrees, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a separate compensable evaluation for left knee instability, finding that there was no evidence of left knee instability or subluxation during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100 percent rating, and his left shoulder injury with bursitis and impingement syndrome is remanded for further development. The issue of service connection for the left knee disability is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding his claimed conditions. The Veteran is to be provided with additional examinations by clinicians who have not previously examined him.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, left knee instability, and left knee scars. The Veteran does not have a service-connected condition that would allow him to combine with his right eye disability.

The Veteran's request for a rating greater than 10 percent for arthritis of the right knee, status post anterior cruciate ligament repair, was denied. A separate 20 percent rating, but no more, for dislocation of semilunar cartilage of the right knee from November 12, 2015, is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and nonservice-connected pension benefits prior to August 31, 2014 due to incomplete development. The Veteran was not provided with proper notification of his scheduled examinations and SSOCs, and VA needs to confirm their addresses and reschedule the exams.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability, GERD, and acquired psychiatric disabilities including PTSD are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show a connection between these conditions and his active duty.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a helpless child of her deceased father due to lack of evidence showing she was permanently incapable of self-support prior to age 18.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right ankle disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and left knee disability due to new evidence received since the last final decision. The psychiatric disorder claim is also being remanded.