Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, left hip and low back disabilities, and TDIU due to issues with the evaluations of his service-connected conditions and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's left hip and right knee conditions are granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.,Service connection for a right hip condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection remain pending. The Board finds that further development is needed to address the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of extension, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of flexion, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of adduction and rotation, a compensable rating for right knee osteoarthritis, a compensable rating for left foot plantar fasciitis, and a compensable rating for left great toe osteoarthritis.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also pending. The Board finds that further development is needed to address the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of extension, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of flexion, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of adduction and rotation, a compensable rating for right knee osteoarthritis, a compensable rating for left foot plantar fasciitis, and a compensable rating for left great toe osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those related to psychiatric disorders, back and neck conditions, OSA, knee disorders, and hypertension. The Veteran's request for a DRO hearing remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected, and therefore the temporary total rating based on surgery of the right knee is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability due to a lack of VA examination in connection with these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and right shoulder strain were denied. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for right shoulder strain from July 21, 2014 to July 7, 2016, but the claim for an increased rating beyond this period was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an annual VA clothing allowance due to use of crutches, as there is no probative evidence showing frequent or consistent use of the crutches.

The Veteran's tension headaches and right knee degenerative joint disease are granted service connection. The left knee degenerative joint disease claim is remanded, as is the asthma and low back disability claims.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate for adjudication purposes and remands the case to obtain a new one.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives regarding the evaluation of the Veteran's right knee disability. Another examination is necessary before further adjudication can be made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee patellectomy does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of anatomical loss or use, and his disability is rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims of service connection for various conditions were denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for generalized anxiety disorder was also denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability. However, the matter is being remanded as additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current right knee condition began in service or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 22, 2013 for the award of service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development due to issues with the August 2016 VA examination and the need for a new examination to accurately assess his disability level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of chronic conditions within one year post-service. The Board also found conflicting reports regarding the onset of symptoms.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and left ankle disorders are found to be related to his military service, with the knee disorders potentially secondary to improper footwear or a change in gait due to his left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant, who was substituted as the claimant.