Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which include musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. The Board grants special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for low back strain and left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder does not require the care or assistance of another on a regular basis, and he is not housebound due to his service-connected disability. Therefore, entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to the use of bilateral knee braces is being remanded as additional development is needed, including obtaining medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and sinusitis, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims. The claim for an earlier effective date for chronic rhinitis was deemed moot as it predated the current claim period.

The Veteran's left total knee replacement is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent. The Board denied a higher rating, and granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current level of severity. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the left knee evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to higher ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities due to the need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as his knee conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD with TBI and migraine headaches disabilities has been dismissed.,Service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is denied, while the claim for an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD with TBI remains pending. The claims for erectile dysfunction and migraine headaches require further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder (secondary to service-connected disabilities). Service connection was denied for lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle disability and left knee arthritis, but denied service connection for right testicle microlithiasis and left hand tremors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a right elbow disability and left knee disability. The Veteran's current complaints of pain are noted, but no definitive link between these conditions and his active service is established.,A VA examiner will be needed to provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s diagnosed right elbow and left knee disabilities are related to his active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and bilateral foot conditions as there is no evidence of a current disability apart from radiculopathy. The Veteran's current symptoms are attributed to his lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has not been manifested by forward flexion of the cervical spine functionally limited to 15 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks.,The Veteran's knee disabilities have not been evaluated based on specific service connection theory as they are rated under general rating criteria for musculoskeletal and respiratory systems.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions, and a new opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability had its onset during active service or is otherwise etiologically related to his service.

The Board has determined that there are missing documents in the claims file, including a July 2007 claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and related VA treatment records. The case is being remanded to obtain these documents.

The Veteran's left knee strain and lateral instability have been partially granted, with a 20 percent rating for the latter condition beginning April 30, 2018. The Veteran is still seeking an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his left knee strain prior to that date.