Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his incontinence from prostate cancer, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that entitlement to a TDIU is warranted.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 8526. The February 2017 VA examination indicated that the severity of his left lower extremity radiculopathy was moderate, warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected and granted a rating of 10 percent.,For his left knee lateral collateral alignment reconstruction and repair, the Veteran was granted an increased rating to 10 percent effective September 2, 2009.,For his peroneal nerve injury, left lower extremity prior to March 3, 2016, the Veteran was granted a disability rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including review of VA treatment records and an updated medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral knee, left ankle, and right shoulder disabilities are service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence of current severity of the service-connected right knee disability and a need for another VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining all relevant medical records. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for his mood disorder and TDIU are inextricably intertwined with the earlier effective date issue.

The Veteran's right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss were found to be service-connected, with the right knee issue being granted. The initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss remain on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs, requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is warranted.

The Veteran's arthrofibrosis of the left knee with limitation of motion is not considered to be due to VA negligence or fault, and thus he does not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left knee instability has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip injury, right knee condition, and right leg injury are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for a TDIU arose on May 30, 2008, and an effective date of October 19, 2011, is granted as this was when his combined disability rating reached 70%.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated as 20% disabling prior to September 30, 2014, and 60% disabling effective December 1, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increased rating for any time period.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No service connection decision was made as the issue was not about a condition related to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, allergies, hepatitis, sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities. The claims are granted as these conditions have existed continuously since separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his right knee disability, ensuring all pertinent private treatment records are associated with the file, and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle and knee disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of sedentary employment.

The Veteran's residual linear scars of the right knee are manifested by three scars that do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations. The scars are less than 144 square inches in area, are not painful or unstable, and do not cause limitation of function.