Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bathroom modifications, including a walk-in shower with safety bars, are medically necessary to provide access to essential lavatory and sanitary facilities due to his service-connected disabilities. The improvements were completed prior to VA authorization but deemed necessary for his health and safety.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, right knee disability, asthma, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were not granted. The claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability was denied. The claim for an effective date prior to April 13, 2015, for PTSD rating increase was remanded.

The Veteran's appeal regarding an evaluation for his service-connected right total knee arthroplasty between January 23, 1995 and June 1, 2010 has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for right knee scars and remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia. The case is now pending with the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals regarding the increased disability ratings and service connection claims. The Board dismissed these appeals due to the withdrawal request.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being associated with his case and a need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and bilateral hip joint pain. The claims are now remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding whether these conditions are secondary to her service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis with limited flexion and symptomatic removal of cartilage, was rated at 10 percent from February 22, 2007 to July 29, 2008. The rating for the period after September 1, 2009 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated evidence of current severity and a comprehensive opinion on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the August 2013 VA examination is insufficient to adjudicate the claim for service connection of a left knee disability. The Veteran's statements indicate his knee started hurting in October 2001 and September 2002, during a one and a half mile run. Therefore, the Board has decided to remand the case for an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating claim for depressive disorder is dismissed. The Board has also remanded his service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and chronic sinusitis, as well as reopening of a claim for service connection for a low back disorder were all denied. The decision also found that the June 2011 rating decision denying service connection for a low back disorder is final.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DJD, right knee and instability, right knee were denied as there is no evidence of more than slight instability or limitation of motion warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities and a rating in excess of 20 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus. The issues include psychiatric disability (PTSD), lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity neurological disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right calf disability, left calf disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his knee disorders. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations to determine if his current knee conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and remanded the claims for increased ratings of knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, heart disability, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied as there is no evidence that it was incurred in or aggravated by service. Claims for increased ratings of knee and ankle disabilities, heart disability, and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review, particularly regarding her left knee disability. The TDIU claim prior to June 26, 2017 remains on hold.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability and its relationship to service or his service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination addressing all aspects of the Veteran's claim, including continuity of symptomatology and secondary service connection.