Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her left knee and right knee disabilities, as well as a higher evaluation for her left shoulder disability, were denied. The current ratings assigned are appropriate.

The Veteran's right knee disorder and left shoulder disability have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disability related to service or the service-connected left knee condition, and there was insufficient medical opinion to support a finding that the right knee disorder is secondary to the service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors for his PTSD claim and to obtain VA treatment records. The right knee disorder issue will be remanded for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his osteoarthritis of the right knee status post total knee replacement has been granted, with a 60 percent disability rating effective from September 13, 2016. The maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5055 is assigned.

The Board denied reopening of claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, with the exception of a reopened claim for left foot condition. The bilateral knee disability and other issues remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently bedridden due to his service-connected disabilities, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not manifested by limitation of motion or instability that would warrant a rating greater than 10 percent. However, the Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for slight lateral instability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his status post total left knee replacement and degenerative arthritis of the left knee, has been granted increased ratings. The left knee replacement received a 30% rating prior to July 17, 2012, and a 60% rating thereafter. The initial disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee was also granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right knee replacement, bilateral hip disability, and left foot disability have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his hearing loss, nor does he meet the criteria for TDIU.,Service connection has also been denied for the Veteran's right knee replacement, bilateral hip disability, and left foot disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is rated at 30 percent from June 1, 2011. The Board found that the condition met the criteria for a 60% rating but only granted a 30% evaluation based on the current effective date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his right knee disability and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The issues of service connection for a left shoulder disability and a right shoulder condition are also being addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a disability for which service connection is sought. As such, no service connection is granted.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to a single disability alone, and he is already rated at 100% disabling.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is service connected. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral ankle, knee, shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities.

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

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and determine if any additional compensable ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disorders are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee arthritis is related to his service-connected left knee disability and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as he did not provide the necessary VA Form 21-8940 or cooperate with VA in providing a good mailing address, and failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.