Knee Board decisions

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, with a combined rating of 90 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia, patellofemoral joint, left knee, to include as secondary to service-connected residuals of a right foot fracture with a great toe injury. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure that his claims are evaluated in a thorough and proper manner.

The Board found that there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes related to the Veteran's claimed urinary tract infection, and thus denied her claim. The other issues were not addressed due to the need for additional examination.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for medial and collateral ligamentous strain, right knee from 20% to 10%, effective February 8, 2012 was proper based on improvement in instability.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current hip or knee disability, and the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder and left knee disabilities are not related to his active service, thus denying the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and secondary service connection for the left foot condition have all been denied by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities resulted in the need for hinged knee braces, which caused wear on his clothing. The Board found that all reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran, granting a clothing allowance for the 2014 calendar year.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left iliotibial band syndrome and left knee disability were denied as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in or immediately following service, and the current symptoms are not linked to military service.

The Veteran does not have a current right hand disability and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is denied.,Service connection for cervical spondylosis was also denied as it is less likely than not related to service-connected knee and lumbar conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and degenerative joint disease, has been rated at the highest possible level of disability due to his partial knee replacement surgery. He is also entitled to a temporary total rating for convalescence following the surgery.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lumbar strain with scoliosis, a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraines, and a rating in excess of 10 percent from July 1, 2006, in excess of 30 percent from August 15, 2013, in excess of 100 percent from September 28, 2015, in excess of 30 percent from November 1, 2015, and in excess of 20 percent from January 23, 2017, for residuals ACL repair, right knee limitation of extension, and an effective date prior to October 2, 2009, for a rating of 40 percent for lumbar strain with scoliosis has been dismissed.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted with an effective date of April 12, 2011. The issue of a 10% evaluation for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is dismissed as the Veteran has been assigned at least one compensable rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for service-connected knee disabilities and a fracture of the right metacarpal. The AOJ should consider this additional evidence in their first instance.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for instability and 10 percent for arthritis. A separate rating of 20 percent has been granted for semilunar cartilage damage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion.,A 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is in effect.

The Board has not received all of the Veteran's VA treatment records, particularly those from December 2013 to August 2016. The RO is required to obtain these records as they may affect the rating for the Veteran’s knee and heel conditions.