Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss, as well as his claims for service connection for various conditions. The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left and right knee disorders and folliculitis barbae. The special monthly compensation based on housebound status claim will also be readjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to March 12, 2013 will also be referred to the Director.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left tibia scar was denied in May 2013. The evidence submitted since that decision is not new and material.,The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, gastrointestinal disability (GERD and peptic ulcers), cervical spine disability, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral ankles, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral feet, hemorrhoids, right lower varicose veins, left lower varicose veins, PTSD, right foot bunionectomy scars, left foot bunionectomy scars, and right knee limitation of extension were not incurred in or a result of active duty service.,The Veteran's acne/rosacea/melasma was granted service connection on September 12, 2011, the day after she was discharged from active duty. The effective date for bilateral knee strain was also granted on September 12, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from October 18, 2010 to April 14, 2015 and then increased to 70 percent thereafter. The left knee subpatellar tendonitis warranted a separate 10 percent rating, while the left ankle sprain did not warrant an increase beyond its current 10 percent rating.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea and whether it is caused or aggravated by medication for service-connected right foot arthritis. Additionally, proper VCAA notice must be provided regarding the secondary aspect of his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity disorder, finding that her current condition is not related to her period of active duty. The remaining issues on appeal are pending and will require further development as per the April 2015 remand directives.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of degenerative joint disease in either knee on x-rays and the examiner stated that the Veteran had not mentioned any knee complaints to VA where he sought care. However, a new examination by an orthopedic specialist is needed due to the inadequate opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right knee osteoarthritis contributed substantially or materially to cause his death from a cerebrovascular accident (CVA).

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and found that new and material evidence had not been received. The claims for increased ratings for right shoulder strain and lumbar strain remain pending.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-replacement surgery, is currently rated at 60 percent and the claim for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for service connection of a left knee disability due to withdrawal by the Veteran's attorney. The claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the elbows, and degenerative arthritis of the knees as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee arthritis and instability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee fracture of tibial plateau with degenerative joint disease resulted in symptoms such as painful motion, but did not result in flexion limited to 30 degrees or less or extension limited to 15 degrees or less.,The Veteran was not experiencing severe postoperative residuals or immobilization of the left knee beyond January 31, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to July 2, 2009. The Board found that the evidence does not support his contention of inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected conditions.