Knee Board decisions

The Board has ordered the remand of two issues related to the Veteran's knee disabilities due to insufficient examination findings regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left leg disabilities. The right thigh scar, myositis, enchondroma, and right knee arthritis are also being remanded due to changes in applicable law affecting their rating determinations.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of left knee instability and patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that no pending unadjudicated claim existed to establish an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's right knee disability was reduced from a 20 percent rating to a non-compensable rating, but the Board has restored the original 20 percent rating due to improvement in the condition under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee patellofemoral compartment osteoarthritis status post patella fracture, finding that his current condition is related to a pre-existing injury during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and the issue of service connection for left knee disorder is remanded for further development.

The Board found no evidence of current lower back, right knee, or left knee conditions during service or after. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to the need for further examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities alone are sufficient to meet the criteria.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted service connection and rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee is granted a 10 percent rating, with periods of higher ratings pending further evaluation.

The Veteran's hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.,Service connection for right knee arthritis and left knee arthritis is denied due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or within one year post-service, and the absence of a compensable degree of disability.,Low back disorder (arthritis and scoliosis) is denied as there was no chronic condition in service, and current symptoms are not related to service. Scoliosis is considered congenital and thus not subject to service connection.,PTSD is denied due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or within one year post-service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, finding insufficient evidence to establish a link between her current condition and her military service.

The Veteran's hypertension and left knee disability, including a meniscal tear, are not service-connected. The initial rating for the left knee disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating. A separate 20 percent rating for the left knee meniscal tear is granted.

The claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss, hypertension, and left knee disability has been granted. The TDIU claim is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right shoulder and knee disabilities, as well as the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to outstanding VA medical records that are relevant to these claims.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for back, left knee, and right knee braces in 2018 were denied as the braces are not used for service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that new evidence must be reviewed to determine if it is sufficient to reopen the claims for left and right knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and bilateral hip disabilities due to a service-connected left foot disability. The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no indication of an intent to claim service connection prior to September 10, 2015.

The Veteran's knee disorders are being remanded for further examination and opinion as the current VA examinations were not fully adequate. The lung cancer with right lower lung lobectomy is also being remanded for a new examination to determine if the upper extremity pain is related to the surgery.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a clinical evaluation to assess his mobility and safety in the bathroom, as he has reported difficulty entering and exiting his bathtub due to knee disabilities. The current evidence does not provide sufficient information on the adequacy of existing medical equipment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.