Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his low back and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, updated treatment records, and further development of the evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the receipt of additional pertinent evidence. The claim will be adjudicated again with consideration of this new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine whether his right leg disability, including poor circulation, gout, arthritis, and blood clots, are related to the service-connected fracture of left femur with history of osteomyelitis and degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The TDIU claim will also be remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity with a surgical scar and assigned a 20 percent disability rating, effective January 22, 2010. The Veteran's residuals from the status post-contusion of the left knee are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, bilateral knee, and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from her TRICARE providers.

The Veteran's claims for a low back disability, hypersomnolence, left and right knee disabilities, and TDIU were denied. The Board finds that service connection is not warranted for the claimed conditions.

The Board granted service connection for depressive disorder effective October 30, 2015. The Veteran's claim was reopened on new evidence and the effective date is set at that time.

The Board found no evidence of a right leg disability or right knee injury during service and concluded that the current disabilities are not related to service. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service injuries were deemed unreliable.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated during service. The claim of secondary service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is not addressed as it is related to the left knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee degenerative arthritis are granted, with effective dates set at October 5, 2011.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for right and left knee disabilities, but remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide a medical opinion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and hearing loss disability, finding new and material evidence. Both conditions are now considered to be related to active duty.,Service connection is granted for right knee traumatic arthritis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee osteoarthritis is not related to her in-service injury and therefore denied service connection for a left knee disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for service connection for supraventricular arrhythmia and bilateral knee ankylosis.

The Veteran's right calcaneus osteomyelitis and left below the knee amputation have resulted in the need for specialized care, dressing changes, decreased balance, and assistance with daily activities. The Board finds that he is entitled to SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability and obtain additional medical records.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to assess the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities and their impact on his ability to perform daily self-care tasks, as this will determine whether he needs aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not manifested by flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, by any limitation of extension, or by instability or recurrent subluxation.,For the period prior to November 20, 2012, the skin disability was treated with topical corticosteroids and affected less than 5 percent of the Veteran's total body surface and less than five percent of the exposed area. For the period from November 20, 2012, the skin disability was treated with topical corticosteroids and affected at most five to 19 percent of the Veteran's total body surface and less than five percent of the exposed area.

The Veteran's right knee disability prior to February 29, 2016 resulted in limited extension (to 10 degrees) and normal flexion (to 90 degrees), warranting a 10 percent rating under DC 5261 for limitation of extension.

The Veteran's left knee instability as residual of left knee injury is rated at 30 percent, effective September 7, 2016. The Veteran also has a separate 10 percent rating for muscle weakness of the left quadriceps (Muscle Group XIV). As of April 21, 2015, but no earlier, his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.