Knee Board decisions

The Board dismissed the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for a left knee disability with instability and arthritis on an extraschedular basis as it was fully resolved by the April 2016 decision.

The Board denied service connection for left knee chondrocalcinosis, finding no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service or any other service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from July 31, 2007. Service connection for diabetes, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing. The appeal is not ready for appellate review until this hearing is scheduled.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder renders him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected knee and hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that manifested during or as a result of active military service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the evaluation of his left knee osteoarthritis, right knee injury with post-traumatic osteoarthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of bilateral degenerative joint disease of the knees due to lack of remaining matters in dispute. The Veteran's claim for residuals of a right hand injury, fracture right fifth finger, is denied as there is no evidence that the current condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his left knee disability was denied as new and material evidence had not been received.,Service connection for COPD was also denied, with the Board finding that there is no causal relationship between service and current COPD.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU was granted, and her appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability were dismissed due to her agreement to withdraw those claims in exchange for the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for instability of the left knee from November 16, 2005 to November 8, 2006 has been dismissed as there is no legal basis for the Board to grant such a rating.

The Veteran's right knee instability is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5257 for other knee impairment with slight instability. The Board found no evidence of more than slight instability or recurrent subluxation/dislocation.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. However, he is denied special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance as his dementia contributes to his inability to perform daily activities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable from November 30, 2007 to July 14, 2015 and as 20 percent disabling thereafter. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee was rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received after the initial decision. The Veteran's substantive appeal was submitted in June 2008, and no waiver of RO review was provided within 45 days.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and instability, is currently rated at 20 percent. The semilunar cartilage condition with frequent episodes of locking and pain is separately evaluated as a separate disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board found that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, and right knee disability is not warranted based on the evidence of record.