Knee Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee and right hamstring disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the September 2009 rating decision. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for additional examination.

The Veteran's appeals on various service connection claims have been dismissed due to his death.

Service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is granted. The Veteran's claim of an initial compensable rating for migraines prior to January 23, 2017 and the claims for effective dates for the grant of a 50 percent rating for migraines and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, seasonal allergic rhinitis, and asthma with sleep apnea are all rated as they currently stand. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the left knee disability and asthma with sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to determine if the Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are related to his service-connected right knee disability.

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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence. However, it denied the claim as there is no direct evidence linking his current left knee disability to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been granted. The decision also includes a finding of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination reports and the need for further medical evaluation.

The Veteran's right eye blindness was not incurred in the line of duty and is denied.,The Veteran's right-hand scar preexisted service and is not aggravated by service, thus denial.,The acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to service and are denied.,Bilateral knee osteoarthritis did not manifest during or within one year after service and is denied.,Bilateral hand osteoarthritis was not shown to be chronic during service and is denied.,Low back disability is not shown to exist currently and is denied.,Neuropathy is not shown to exist currently and is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee strain and denied an increased rating for residuals of a fractured right second metatarsal. The Veteran's right knee strain was not found to be related to his service-connected right foot disability, and the stress fracture residuals were considered to have mild symptoms.

The Veteran's request for a clothing allowance due to his use of a knee brace is remanded. The VA needs to conduct an orthopedic examination to determine if the knee brace causes wear and tear on his clothes.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal.,The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for further development regarding the Veteran's left knee, right knee, and TDIU claims.

The petition to reopen a claim for service connection for a left knee condition was denied. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an effective date prior to October 14, 2014 for the grant of service connection for right shoulder degenerative joint disease with tear of superior labrum and tendinosis of the rotator cuff and long head of the biceps tendon status post arthrotomy was denied. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for a right shoulder disability is remanded, as well as his claim for TDIU due to this issue being inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease and sacroiliac degenerative joint disease results in forward flexion greater than 30 degrees, but no ankylosis. The current rating of 20% is appropriate.,Prior to January 16, 2012, the Veteran's right knee disability resulted in painful motion with extension limited to 10 degrees. Effective March 1, 2013, his status post total knee replacement results in extension to 10 degrees or more and flexion greater than 60 degrees. The current ratings of 10% prior to January 16, 2012, and 30% effective March 1, 2013, are appropriate.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions, including right knee chondromalacia, left knee chondromalacia, cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine. The remand also includes a TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and treatment records, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's recurrent left lower extremity disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that a remand is required to have an examiner supplement the record with a report regarding the current severity of his right knee disability and obtain any missing private records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's sleep apnea, anxiety and depression, PTSD, left knee instability, right knee instability, and left knee chondromalacia patella and strain are all under review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if he meets the criteria for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.