Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for a 10 percent rating for left femur fracture and left hip limitation of rotation have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cause of death was related to his service.

The Veteran's right knee and ankle disabilities are being remanded for additional opinions regarding whether they are secondary to his service-connected radiculopathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee disabilities and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities affecting his lower extremities. However, as he is now eligible for this benefit, the claim for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee strain and instability has been granted, with a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability. The current 10 percent rating for limitation of motion remains unchanged.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disability was granted, but the claim itself remains denied. The claims for effective dates and ratings were also addressed and are either granted or denied as appropriate.

The Veteran's patellar tendinitis of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, and his limitation of flexion of the right knee from July 29, 2007 to June 13, 2018 is also rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's degenerative joint disease (post-anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction) of the right knee was granted a higher rating of 20 percent since March 3, 2015. However, his instability of the right knee remains rated as 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and service connection were denied. The right knee arthritis claim was granted with a 20% rating prior to November 8, 2016, and a 30% rating since January 1, 2018. A separate 20% rating for instability associated with the right knee disability from September 16, 2014 to November 8, 2016 was also granted. The left knee strain claim remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, thus denying an increased level of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, knee, and lumbosacral strain disabilities as secondary to a right ankle disability. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 26, 2008 for service connection for right knee injury and medial meniscus tear is granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for her right knee tendonitis status post medial meniscus tear is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right shoulder disability, and left knee arthritis are granted. The Veteran is also awarded initial ratings of at least 10 percent for his left knee lateral instability and limitation of extension.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a PTSD examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee injury/patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative joint disease is being remanded to allow the VA to consider additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for clarification and further medical evaluation.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened, and the claim is granted. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, migraine headaches, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all denied.

The Board has denied service connection for spine and right knee conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and left knee disabilities, both secondary to his service-connected left foot disability with scar. The claims are now before the VA for further examination and determination.