Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability, which resulted from a total knee replacement surgery during active duty, is currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence does not support an increase in the rating to account for severe painful motion or weakness.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military service. The appeal regarding PTSD has been granted, with a rating in excess of 50 percent from November 23, 2013, and TDIU is granted effective since that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development of her claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is considered a subsequent manifestation of his already service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his service connection claims for lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities because the submitted evidence is cumulative and redundant of previous evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that new evidence supports a link between his current condition and an incident in service.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability and found that the Veteran's current left knee condition is at least as likely as not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disability. The claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, and right ankle disability were withdrawn by the Veteran prior to decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to December 15, 2008 for the award of additional compensation for his two dependent children as VA was not notified of their existence prior to that date.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the underlying claims for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for further examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left hip, left knee, and left wrist disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a disability manifested by impaired eyesight due to refractive error, and there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to service. The current bilateral knee arthritis was less likely than not incurred in or caused by the left knee problems that occurred while on active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for the reduction of his GERD evaluation from 30 percent to 10 percent is granted, and he is entitled to a restoration of the 30 percent rating. The issue of the appropriate effective date for this reduction is dismissed as moot due to the grant of the reduction. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for his bilateral knee braces for calendar year 2013, finding that the braces caused wear and tear to his clothing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service records and a need to provide the Veteran with proper notice regarding alternative sources of evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, hip and knee conditions, ankle, wrist, plantar fasciitis, and migraine headaches have been granted. The claim for psychiatric disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's spouse is not found to require regular aid and attendance, as she can manage her daily needs without assistance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist, left shoulder, and right knee disabilities have been granted. The right wrist is rated at 50 percent since September 25, 2014; the left shoulder is rated at 30 percent since September 25, 2014; and the right knee is rated at 10 percent.