Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent, and the ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The DJD of the left knee is also rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder have been granted. The rating for tinnitus remains at 10%.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and left knee disability.,There is no competent evidence linking the Veteran's current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including left foot, ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, neurological, arm, upper extremity neuropathy, right leg, neck, and back disorders. The RO is instructed to obtain in-service hospitalization records from 1976-1979 and provide an addendum opinion regarding the relationship of these disorders to service.

The Veteran is granted a clothing allowance for the use of Lofstrand crutches in 2015, but denied for bilateral knee braces due to lack of evidence showing they cause wear on his clothing.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of lumbar degenerative disc disease has been granted. The claims for service connection, compensable evaluations for erectile dysfunction and hypertension, and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, including DJD, is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion regarding his in-service injury and current symptoms.

The Veteran's right knee disability claim is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial increased rating for his service-connected left and right knee degenerative joint disease due to insufficient findings from a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's left hip disability is being remanded for further examination and rating consideration due to the lack of proper range of motion testing in a previous VA examination.

The Board has denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus, as the increase in disability occurred more than one year prior to the claim. The issues of service connection for various disorders are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination of the Veteran's left knee instability.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis due to changes in his symptoms and the time since his last examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of any current bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's representative requested a medical opinion, and the examiner must determine if the current knee disability is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted service connection effective December 5, 2011. The claim for left big toe amputation compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied due to lack of evidence showing negligence or fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's initial rating for his right knee disorder is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Board will obtain a new VA examination that includes specific tests and assess the Veteran's functional ability during flare-ups.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection were properly filed on November 15, 2011. Effective dates of November 15, 2011 have been granted for all disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 with multiple areas of spinal disc herniations was denied. The right knee strain and ankle disabilities were granted increased ratings, but the limitation of flexion in the right knee remains at a compensable level.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. The issue of the right knee disability will be remanded to obtain an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder and residuals of a left index finger injury due to incomplete records from his Army National Guard service. The case is remanded for further action.