Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for deep vein thrombosis, right hip and knee conditions, and a reduction in the rating of his lumbar spine disability have been granted. The right knee condition is now considered secondary to his service-connected left knee and back disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 70 percent throughout the appeal period. Service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow, knee, and foot disabilities, as well as cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection for bilateral knee, low back, and head injuries due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to his knee brace is granted because the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the brace causes wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee replacement, coronary artery disease, nephropathy with hypertension, and diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and erectile dysfunction, are sufficient to qualify for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability as of June 17, 2011.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and special monthly compensation as the Veteran withdrew his claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II as the evidence did not support a link to active service or Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's other claims were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 20 percent, with separate ratings for limitation of flexion and extension. The appeal was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and an increased rating for DJD of the left knee are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claim for specially adapted housing is inextricably intertwined with the other two claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, low back, and bilateral hip disorders have been denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a link between his current conditions and service, as well as any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities and service connection for a right knee disability was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 40 percent for his left knee instability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial rating of 30 percent prior to June 5, 2017. A 100 percent rating for PTSD was awarded from June 5, 2017.,Service connection for right and left knee meniscal tears, hypertension, sleep apnea, a back disorder, and a left hip disorder were denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability and granted it, finding that new evidence shows the Veteran's pre-existing knee condition worsened during service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea and left knee disability, including as secondary to a right knee disability.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims for right knee and low back pain disabilities, which were previously denied in March 1991. The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated as 10%.,The Veteran's skin disability involving the face was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability.