Knee Board decisions

The Board denied clothing allowances for bilateral knee braces and trixaicin/capsaicin, clotrimazole, and thera-gesic creams in the 2015 calendar year due to lack of evidence showing that these items cause wear and tear on the Veteran's clothing.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and a TDIU prior to July 28, 2014 was dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as his sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current disabilities, specifically his right shoulder, back, neck, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for continued payment of SMC at the housebound rate as he did not meet the statutory requirements for one service-connected disability rated as 100% and separate disabilities rated at 60% or higher, nor was he permanently housebound by reason of service-connected disability or disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition and a heart condition, finding no current disability or evidence of in-service injury that would support the claims.

The Veteran's lumbar DDD is granted as secondary to his service-connected hallux valgus of the left and right feet. The issues regarding left knee DJD and AC joint arthritis are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 9, 2004 for special monthly compensation based on anatomical loss of the right foot and service connection for loss of use of the right leg due to right knee disability. The Board also denied his claims for evaluations in excess of 30 percent for postoperative right knee instability and 10 percent for limitation of right knee flexion prior to February 9, 2004.

The claim for service connection of a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of a left hip condition, left knee condition, lung conditions (including asthma and bronchitis), and hypertension. The issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand two cases related to the Veteran's left lower extremity disabilities due to insufficient evidence from a previous examination.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's right knee disabilities prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation, and his combined disability ratings do not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Board has denied service connection for sleep disability, erectile dysfunction, left knee disability, right knee disability, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, type 2, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete information in the examination reports, including lack of range of motion testing and instability assessment. The Veteran is also required to provide VA with his VA rehabilitation records.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 10 percent rating for the period before August 27, 2014. The claim for ratings in excess of 40 percent from August 27, 2014 until February 5, 2016, and for ratings in excess of 10 percent from February 5, 2016 until October 25, 2016, was denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent from October 25, 2016 is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracolumbar spine disorder (back disorder), left knee disorder, right knee disorder, toe disorder, and bilateral foot disorder have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's left knee condition was rated at 10 percent prior to September 13, 2016 and then increased to 30 percent effective September 13, 2016. The case is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed before a decision can be reached on the merits.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including ankle sprains, knee disorders, shoulder disorders, and neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The decision found no current disabilities that could be linked to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees (bilateral knee disability). The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle disorders as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left foot disorder. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus is also granted.