Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist, left knee chondromalacia, and right knee patellofemoral ligament strain disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since at least February 8, 2007. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of February 8, 2007 for the award of TDIU.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several service connection claims, but the Veteran's claim for a right thigh condition remains denied as there is no medical evidence linking the current condition to his active duty service. The other reopened claims are also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of glaucoma, and the Board finds that there is no evidence to support service connection for this condition.,There is insufficient evidence to establish an in-service injury or event related to the neck condition. The preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's current neck disability did not originate during service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found no evidence to warrant an increased rating and denied the claim for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities not meeting the schedular criteria.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 13, 2011 and since November 1, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or arthritis.,For residuals of total left knee replacement, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating effective from November 1, 2012. The Board determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and an increased evaluation for his right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Osgood Schlatter's disease of the knees, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma were denied. The VA found that the conditions did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee instability is granted. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for wrist conditions and service connection for hand, shoulder, and foot conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.,Specifically, the Veteran’s left wrist fracture with residual sprain does not show ankylosis. His lumbar spine disability is not manifested by ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The right knee and left knee degenerative arthritis do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion. The bilateral ankle degenerative joint disease are rated at 10% each.

The Veteran's right shoulder, left hip, and bilateral knee disabilities are granted service connection. Service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and records. The issues of service connection are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are related to his service in Bosnia. His lower back disability is also related to his service, as is his left knee disability.

The Veteran's request for SMC based on aid and attendance was granted due to his service-connected right thumb disability. The claim for financial assistance for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only was denied as the Veteran does not have a qualifying disability under the regulations. Service connection for prostate cancer, secondary to testicular mass, is remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for tinea pedis and remanded the issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for a prostate disorder due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claim. The right knee and bilateral foot disability claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, right forearm fracture residuals, right wrist disorder, and right ankle disorder. The diabetes claim is also remanded. VA treatment records from the 1980s are requested as well as any private medical records prior to 1988.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities and sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than April 18, 2011 and September 15, 2011 for his service-connected right hip degenerative joint disease with limitation of extension, flexion; right ankle degenerative joint disease; right knee patellofemoral syndrome; and left knee degenerative joint disease have been denied. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is also remanded.