Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's left femoral nerve damage was not caused by his March 2011 VA surgery and concluded he is not entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for this condition. The TDIU claim was denied as there were no service-connected disabilities meeting the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The SMC claim was also denied due to lack of evidence showing need for aid and attendance or permanent bedridden status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, which required total knee replacements, are service-connected as they were incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues has been granted, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board also found that the Veteran's back disability is related to his in-service examination, and his right and left knee disabilities are secondary to his back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and amputation below the knee, are found to be significant enough to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's knee braces cause irreparable damage to his outer garments, but the Board finds that this does not meet the criteria for an annual clothing allowance due to the equipoise of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (low back, knees, hearing loss, and PTSD) preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and residuals of a previous meniscectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has granted the requested increased rating for the osteoarthritis but denied the request for a separate rating for the residual condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement surgery, results in painful motion and limited flexion but no evidence of muscle weakness, ankylosis, instability or subluxation. The current rating of 30 percent is appropriate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, or a shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for disabilities of the knees, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed left knee degenerative joint disease is related to his in-service injury and has been continuous since service separation, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hammertoes, shin splints, hallux valgus, left knee disability, right knee disability, and respiratory disorder have been reopened. The Board has found new and material evidence to support these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder (to include a larynx condition) was denied in an April 2014 rating decision that was affirmed by the November 2014 Board decision. He did not appeal this portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is caused by his service-connected left knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and depression are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the retrieval of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, left leg fracture residuals, and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy. The Veteran is also denied effective date claims related to GERD, PTSD with alcohol use disorder, and SMC at the housebound rate.