Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee arthritis, cervical strain with arthritis, and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee brace is not prescribed for a service-connected disability, so he cannot receive a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. His skin cancer and peripheral neuropathy of the left, lower extremity are denied due to lack of evidence linking them to herbicide exposure during service. The left knee disability is also denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee, bilateral foot, and lower back disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease (IBS/GERD), hypertension, fatigue, and various knee and elbow disabilities has been denied as the evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during service or their current existence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, and left knee strain with calcific tendonitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for rheumatoid arthritis, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right ankle arthritis, and left ankle arthritis. The effective dates were not established as the issues are referred to the RO.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle, left ankle, and left knee disabilities due to lack of current diagnoses. The Veteran's TBI residuals claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of his address.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claims for low back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be proximately due to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder has been reopened, and the case is remanded for further development. The issues of an initial compensable rating for residual scar associated with status post laceration of achilles and peroneus brevis tendon with tendinosis multiple tendons and a rating in excess of 20 percent for status post laceration of achilles and peroneus brevis tendon with tendinosis multiple tendons are also remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis and instability have been granted, with a temporary 100% rating following the TKR surgery. The denial of a higher rating for patellar subluxation is noted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but granted service connection for right knee degenerative changes.,The Veteran's genitourinary disability (orchialgia and varicocele) is pending due to a remand.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination as they are related to service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a combined rating of 70 percent is denied as the December 2010 rating decision is final and the Veteran did not perfect his appeal with respect to the initial disability ratings assigned in that decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left-knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected left-ankle disorder due to the lack of current disability evidence.