Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disorder and an increased rating for his left knee disability. The Board found no evidence linking the current right knee disorder to service or service-connected conditions, and concluded that the left knee disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires a new examination to clarify the relationship between the Veteran's left foot conditions, hallux rigidus, hammertoes, and her right knee and hip conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral knee disabilities, and scars, meet the criteria for schedular consideration of TDIU since July 1, 2011. The Veteran is unable to work due to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability were originally denied. The claims are now reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran, including testimony at his Board hearing regarding current treatment. The claims for service connection are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disability due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions. The case will be returned to the Board after further review.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a head disability, an insect bite, and right ear hearing loss. The claim for reopening of the right ear hearing loss is granted. Service connection for a back disability and a right knee disability are denied. The case is remanded for further examination regarding bilateral hearing loss, left ankle disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD).

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 25, 2013 and increased to 20 percent since then.,The Veteran's left knee condition has been rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period. The Board granted a higher rating of 20 percent for his right foot osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back pain and bilateral knee retropatellar pain syndrome were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability and service connection for a right leg/knee condition due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has granted reconsideration of the claim for service connection for a right knee disability and remanded the claim for hypertension. The Veteran's current right knee disability is presumed to have arisen in service, while his hypertension is presumed to have existed prior to service.

The application to reopen the claims for back disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral knee disability have been denied.,The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for residuals of a fracture of the right little finger, but granted separate 10 percent ratings for instability and locking in both knees. Recurrent sinusitis was assigned a noncompensable initial rating effective April 7, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The right knee disability claim, which was secondary to the left knee disability, is also denied.

The Veteran's use of his VA-issued back and left knee braces is causing wear on distinct types of clothing, warranting annual clothing allowances for 2014.

The Board previously denied service connection for a right knee disability, but the Court has now remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and meniscal tear, is rated at 10 percent from June 4, 2010 to September 27, 2012. From September 28, 2012, the Veteran is granted a 20 percent rating for meniscal tear with instability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee arthritis, deep vein thrombosis, atrial fibrillation, and anxiety disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether he can perform such work.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to March 7, 2011 and a separate rating of 10 percent for instability is granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,From May 1, 2012 onwards (excluding the period of temporary total rating), the Veteran's right knee disability post-total knee arthroplasty was rated at 30 percent. The Board has remanded this issue.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right, left knee disabilities and low back disability secondary to bilateral ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's ankylosing spondylitis is also a factor in these claims.