Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is due to his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, combined with his educational and occupational history, precludes him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for morbid obesity, as well as his claims for an effective date prior to May 30, 2003, and TDIU are all granted. The Veteran is also assigned a 80% disability rating for arthritis of the right knee.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current manifestations and effects of his left knee disability, including chondromalacia patella. The claim will be reviewed again after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service department verification of his 1981-1985 period of active service and medical records from that time. The Veteran's sleep problems are also being reviewed as part of this process.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability. The rating for his service-connected right knee condition will be reconsidered after this additional information has been gathered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability, left knee disability, or left ankle disability that had its onset during active service or within the one year presumptive period. The VA examinations and other evidence do not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and left shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions to address the severity of his left femur fracture, the nature and etiology of his right knee disability, and whether his stomach condition is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depression (PTSD), has been granted. The effective date of the grant is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened, but the Board found that new and material evidence was not received to substantiate his claims. The PTSD claim resulted in a rating of 50% prior to November 14, 2014, and 70% thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA examinations for his claimed back injury, right knee disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The RO will coordinate efforts with the correctional facility to accommodate the Veteran by arranging for an examination at Soledad State Prison if possible.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and updated medical records. The Board will review the claims file and provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance for substitution purposes.

The Veteran's right hand disability is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 5215. The Board finds that a higher or separate rating for ankylosis of any involved joint is not warranted as there is no evidence of such.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for additional development to determine if it clearly and unmistakably preexisted service, whether it was aggravated by a September 1972 fall during boot camp, and the likelihood that it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for urinary incontinence and denied for presbyopia. The remaining issues are addressed below.