Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot numbness, right knee disability, and left great toe disability are not service-connected as they are not shown to be due to or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee strain with instability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

During the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's postoperative residuals of the left knee was manifested by no worse than moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The criteria for entitlement to an increased rating were not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back, bilateral hip, left knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's basic eligibility for specially adapted housing was denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his service-connected disabilities. The case is remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing on the issue of entitlement to automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's right knee strain and obstructive sleep apnea have resulted in a combined rating of 60%, which does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU. However, due to significant functional limitations caused by his service-connected disabilities, including right knee, cervical spine, left foot, and right foot conditions, he may be eligible for extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess his hearing loss, knee conditions, and neck condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee DJD is more likely than not caused by his service-connected right total knee replacement, as evidenced by his history of favoring his right knee and subsequent development of DJD in his left knee.

The Veteran's back disability, left knee disorder, and left arm tendonitis have been granted service connection. The Veteran is entitled to a separate rating of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with her lumbar spine disability. She also received a 10 percent rating for her left knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left knee condition with residual scars are related to his military service. The claim for a bilateral foot condition is being remanded as it requires additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his left knee, lumbar spine, and psychiatric disorders. The right knee rating issue will also be addressed.

The Veteran's right hand disability claim was reopened, and he is now rated at 60% for his right knee disability. His TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, right carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical spine conditions are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability. The current osteoarthritis of the right knee is found to be related to his in-service parachute jumps.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 30 percent each, reflecting the severity of his symptoms without meeting higher criteria for more severe ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's current right knee condition is related to his in-service injury, and the evidence supports this finding.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus did not have onset during service or were caused by service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's right-sided Bell's palsy is found to have its onset during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's disability of the right knee, including his meniscal condition and arthrosis, has been rated at 20 percent since December 1973. The Board finds that a higher rating is warranted due to the Veteran's symptoms of frequent episodes of joint locking, pain, and effusion.