Knee Board decisions

The Board has restored the 10 percent ratings for thoracolumbar strain, right knee disability, and left knee disability effective September 1, 2014.,The TBI rating was reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable effective October 28, 2014.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were reduced from 20% to 10%, effective October 1, 2015. The Board found that the reduction was not proper and restored the original ratings. Additionally, the TDIU claim for the period prior to July 13, 2015 is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the current evaluations of 10 percent are appropriate based on the evidence showing moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type 2, bilateral hip disability, and left knee disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including generalized joint and muscle pain, lumbar spine disorder, right elbow lateral and medial epicondylitis, left elbow lateral and medial epicondylitis, right wrist arthritis, left wrist arthritis, and right knee arthritis, were not incurred in service. The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year post-service for most conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee strain, as secondary to his right knee disabilities, should be remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remand were denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to grant higher ratings for the right knee and wrist conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has found due process deficiencies and remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hip surgery.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the previously denied claim for service connection for bronchitis has been received. The claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and sleep apnea are being remanded for further development.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original disability rating of 20 percent for her right knee conditions and granted a revised effective date of May 2, 2018 for the reduction in evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active duty service and a rating of 10 percent has been assigned.,Service connection for allergies, left knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease have been granted. Service connection for left hamstring condition was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ear hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right knee arthritis and left knee disability have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome associated with bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, finding no new and relevant evidence after the June 2015 denial.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities, as well as housebound status due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran was in need of regular aid and assistance or permanently housebound solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for restoration of service connection for total knee replacement with moderate instability and limitation of extension, as well as a rating in excess of 30 percent for total left knee replacement from May 1, 2011. The appeal is remanded to obtain a new VA examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee disability may be related to service, but more evidence is needed before a final decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination. The issues are whether his left and right knee disabilities were incurred during service or are related to any in-service injury, as well as whether his right knee disability is secondary to his left knee.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during a non-VA hospitalization at Medical Center of Trinity on January 10, 2018 due to the availability of VA facilities that were feasibly available and could have provided care.