Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disorders, including degenerative arthritis and left knee medial meniscus tear. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities were denied. The rating for residuals of a right knee meniscectomy prior to January 28, 2013 was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or severe recurrent subluxation/inability to use the knee. Since January 28, 2013, he received a separate 20 percent rating for right knee dislocation of semilunar cartilage and a 10 percent rating for limitation of extension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disorder, finding that it did not manifest to a compensable degree in service or within the applicable presumptive period and continuity of symptomatology is not established. The Board also found no medical evidence supporting the contention that the right knee disorder was caused by overcompensating for his left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and determine if she is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a mental health condition due to the Veteran's personality disorder, which is not considered a disease or injury for compensation purposes. The claims for increased ratings for knee disabilities are remanded as VA outpatient records have not been obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to prescribed knee braces that damage his clothing is being remanded because there are no recent VA treatment records available.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for low back disability, left knee and right knee disabilities, left leg disability (other than left knee), right fibular fracture, and left ankle disability. The remand requires additional opinions from VA clinicians regarding these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded due to new evidence and need further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for instability and degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a compensable or higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, a right foot condition, and TDIU due to new evidence added to the record since the last Statement of the Case.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia and a rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of left knee flexion prior to February 20, 2018. The Veteran's fibromyalgia was not related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee condition due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for a left knee disorder, but the right knee disorder remains in dispute as it may be related to the left knee disorder or other pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee total arthroplasty with left thigh muscle atrophy resulted in chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness. The claim for increased rating is granted, and the Veteran is now rated at 60 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's cognitive disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and intermittent explosive disorder have been granted service connection. The Veteran also has current diagnoses for a skin condition and psychiatric disorders (including psychosis and temperament issues).

The Veteran's claim for an annual VA clothing allowance due to the use of Biofreeze topical analgesic was denied as it is not prescribed for a skin condition due to any service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for an annual VA clothing allowance due to her back brace was also denied because the VAMC determined that the model of back brace with Velcro fasteners does not qualify as a qualifying appliance for purposes of awarding a clothing allowance.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral knee conditions, secondary to his service-connected flat foot and related ankle issues. The Board finds additional development is needed due to the progression of the Veteran's knee conditions since his last VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by a retroperitoneal bleed, which is considered service-connected due to his use of diclofenac and Plavix for his knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disabilities due to a lack of notification regarding a scheduled VA examination, which may have affected the outcome of his case. The AOJ is instructed to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination and provide him with another opportunity to respond to any additional evidence.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 12, 2003 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his left knee, cervical spine, and bilateral foot conditions was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent for any of these conditions.