Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's disability rating for residuals of a left knee injury was reduced from 10 percent to 0 percent. The Board has restored the 10 percent rating based on consistent and sustained improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, with separate ratings for limitation of motion and instability. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's left knee instability and limitation of motion prior to August 29, 2014 have been rated at the minimum compensable level. The current rating is based on her service-connected arthritis.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's rating for loss of right knee flexion from 20% to 10%, effective August 4, 2010 was not proper due to lack of improvement in his condition.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for the claimed conditions, including cervical spine degenerative joint disease, bilateral foot disability, bilateral knee injury, bilateral lower leg injury, and bilateral hand injury. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service injuries were not supported by medical evidence or treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination regarding his claimed bilateral hearing loss disability and bilateral knee disorders. The issues of service connection are on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of the lower extremities and automobile and adaptive equipment is denied as he does not meet the criteria for these benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of her service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues of increased ratings for Parkinson's disease and service connection for various knee and spine disorders have been dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's claims for service connection of a bilateral ankle disability and right eye disability are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent, effective April 21, 2011. The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hand tremors are caused by the medications used to treat his service-connected disabilities, and he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's flat feet were not aggravated by service and denied his claims for service connection for acute back pain, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, right knee arthralgia, left knee arthralgia, right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, and tension headaches.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case regarding an increased rating for DJD with left knee flexion, and referral to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back, left knee, left shoulder, and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is due to injury superimposed upon his congenital scoliosis during service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a legible copy of the August 2012 VA examination and opinion, and for further development related to his claims for increased rating for left knee degenerative joint disease and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, bilateral knee, and right shoulder disorders are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology or an in-service injury.