Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examinations and the need for further evaluations of the Veteran's thoracic and lumbar spine disability, as well as his right knee disability.

The Veteran's hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus were denied service connection as there was no evidence of onset during service or within the presumptive period.,Left knee replacement, right knee limitation of motion with degenerative osteoarthritis, special monthly compensation based on Aid and Attendance/Housebound, temporary total evaluations for left knee replacement due to hospital treatment in excess of 21 days and surgical convalescence, and automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only were remanded for further examination and development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due solely to PTSD with alcohol use disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include migraine headaches, a left forehead laceration, tinea pedis of the bilateral feet, gout, sleep apnea, multiple painful joints, allergies, bilateral knee swelling with pain, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a bilateral ankle injury, an upper and lower back disorder, and tinnitus. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining SSA records, VA treatment records, and examinations.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and other claims, including increased ratings for various disabilities. The Veteran's appeal was also remanded for further action on some issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected lumbosacral spine and left knee disabilities. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations, provide him with proper notice of these examinations, obtain all outstanding records, and ensure that he provides any additional evidence needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disability was aggravated by in-service injuries, and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right plantar fasciitis, left knee instability/subluxation, and right knee instability/subluxation are denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for right plantar fasciitis, 10 percent for left knee instability/subluxation prior to December 12, 2017, and 30 percent for left knee limitation of motion since May 9, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 27, 2010. The Board denied the claim for TDIU based on the lack of evidence showing he was unable to work due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran is granted an annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2015 due to his use of a right knee brace, which causes wear and tear on his pants.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right knee injury, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Veteran's service-connected papillary necrosis is not manifested by albumin constant or recurring with hyaline and granular casts, or red blood cells; nor transient or slight edema or hypertension at least 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7101. Therefore, a compensable evaluation for the condition is denied.,The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated as 20 percent due to dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking' pain and effusion into the joint. The Veteran does not require a period of convalescence, nor did he experience severe postoperative residuals or immobilization following his January 2011 right knee arthroscopic surgery.

The Veteran's immediate cause of death was hypertensive and atherosclerotic heart disease. The Board found that the service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death, and there were no pending claims for accrued benefits at the time of his death.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions and requests for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder with depressed features, chondromalacia patella of the right knee, and other conditions have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed left knee and right foot disabilities. The claims will be reviewed again with additional information and a more detailed examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder and PTSD), stomach disorder (GERD and hiatal hernia), bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral hip disorder due to failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for evaluations of his left knee, right knee, and left hand gunshot wound disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examinations. The Veteran needs new examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is rated at 10 percent, and the VA examiner found that a higher rating requires additional information regarding flare-ups and functional loss.