Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability, as the previous examination did not provide sufficient information.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or render him housebound.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hip, lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations in December 2013 and June 2015. The Veteran must be provided with an additional VA examination to determine the etiology of any current disabilities and their relationship to his period of service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye condition, increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to complete a VA Form 21-8940 regarding his unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence linking the current condition to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of his lumbar spine and right knee disabilities, as well as any left knee disability. The issues include determining if the Veteran's service-connected conditions are causing or aggravating his current conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as PTSD with depressive disorder, are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for residuals of right knee injury, service connection for residuals of eye injury, and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status. The remand is due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for essential tremors, headache disability, and insomnia due to ongoing VA medical records being needed. The Veteran is also requested to provide authorization for any outstanding treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, but remanded the claim for a right foot disability due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right wrist sprain and osteoarthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show ankylosis, which would warrant a higher rating under DC 5214. For TDIU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were deemed to be insufficient to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability has been reopened and is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo has been reopened and is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee replacement, finding that his current condition is not related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's headaches are granted a 10 percent rating prior to August 8, 2013 and denied any higher. For the period beginning August 8, 2013, he is granted a 30 percent rating for his headaches. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted a 70 percent rating prior to May 4, 2013 and a 100 percent rating from that date forward.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, bilateral hip, and right knee disabilities, as well as higher initial evaluations for his left knee, ankle sprains, and anxiety disorder. The VA will obtain all outstanding treatment records, provide new examinations, and consider whether these conditions are related to service or other factors.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his knee disabilities and instability are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to June 13, 2017 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The right knee disability received a rating of 30 percent for severe subluxation and limited leg extension, while the left knee disability also received a rating of 30 percent.,PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to June 13, 2017 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The right knee disability received a rating of 30 percent for severe subluxation and limited leg extension, while the left knee disability also received a rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected back, left and right knees, and right wrist conditions have changed in severity since his VA examination of March 2012. The Board finds that a new VA examination is necessary to decide the increased rating claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee prosthesis disability is currently rated at 30 percent since December 1, 2013. The Board denied a higher rating for this condition. For the period prior to October 31, 2012, and since November 1, 2014, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on all issues related to service connection for GERD, bilateral knee pain, and bilateral ankle pain. Service connection is granted for cervical spine disability (neck pain) but denied for lumbar spine disability, bilateral hand and finger pain, wrist pain, elbow pain, hip pain, and shoulder pain.