Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for a right knee disability and determined that she is entitled to service connection based on evidence showing that her current condition first manifested during service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for arthritis of various joints. The Board finds that additional development is necessary to address the nature and etiology of her current arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee and right hip disorders are caused by his service-connected lumbar spine disability, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his right knee disability. The issue of service connection for a left knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and thus grants entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting withdrawal of his claims for service connection and increased evaluations. The Veteran is entitled to a total disability evaluation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities. The matter of TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with the currently open claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right hip condition and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present right and left knee disabilities, as they may be related to the Veteran's active service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and left knee strain are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and any relevant private medical records.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss and an initial increased rating for right cartilage loss and degenerative joint disease status post total knee replacement as these issues are final based on the January 2013 decision. The AOJ should issue a Statement of the Case regarding the latter issue.

Service connection is granted for patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee) and patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee).,The Veteran's right ankle and leg condition claim was denied as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability and anxiety, but denied increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's depression is linked to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee and right knee, but denied an increased rating for his lower back condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and respiratory disorders due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings due to lack of evidence showing additional functional loss or impairment beyond what is already compensated by the current disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to clarify the nature and etiology of his left knee disability, hypertension, and VA compensation claim under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extension of her delimiting date for educational assistance benefits due to a lack of evidence showing she applied for and was granted such an extension.

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Since July 23, 2007, the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis has been rated at 10 percent. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on limited range of motion and painful motion.,The Veteran's left knee degenerative changes have also been rated as 10 percent disabling since July 23, 2007.