Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for loss of flexion, extension, and instability since January 18, 2017. The rating remains denied as the condition does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate opinion regarding functional loss in terms of range of motion during flare-ups. The Veteran's right knee disability claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the issues on appeal can be decided. The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar spine, left shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue and painful joints, headache disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been denied as these conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The right knee disorder remains in dispute.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disorder claims. The Board will not make a final decision on these issues until further review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee chondromalacia patella, and for any updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen claims for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension. The claim for service connection for a right knee disability is reopened but the Veteran's right knee disability is not found to be related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and a respiratory disability, claimed as COPD, are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, left knee, and right knee conditions are all service-connected as they are related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral foot disability and knee disability was dismissed. The claim for an initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected back, left knee, and bilateral wrist disabilities require the use of braces that tend to wear or tear two distinct types of articles of clothing. The Board has determined that he is entitled to two clothing allowances for 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and private treatment records. The AOJ will review the case again after obtaining these records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to determine the nature, onset, and likely etiology of his right knee condition. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that a chronic right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and therefore denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU or SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds that his other service-connected conditions, taken together, do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine condition, right knee enthesopathy and osteoarthritis, and right ankle sprain was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee replacement, gastritis, GERD, and gastric ulcers are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected myelitis. Therefore, these claims for secondary service connection have been denied.