Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining relevant SSA records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, right knee disability, and left knee disability are not service connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disorder was not aggravated by service, and a separate right knee disorder did not develop during service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since the initial grant of service connection. The VA determined that her flexion limitation does not warrant a higher rating, but limited extension to 7 degrees warrants a separate 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, and he is not bedridden. Therefore, special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed stomach, shoulder, elbow, hip, wrist, knee, and asthma disorders are not etiologically related to his active duty service, including service during the Persian Gulf War. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection of left knee disability, neck disability, and right hand condition. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's right knee traumatic arthritis was not characterized by flexion limited to 45 degrees or less, extension limited to 10 degrees or greater, recurrent subluxation, ankylosis, impairment of the tibia or fibula, or genu recurvatum for the periods from May 4, 2011 to November 24, 2015 and from June 1, 2010 to May 3, 2011.,For the period from May 4, 2011 to November 24, 2015, the Veteran's right knee traumatic arthritis was characterized by flexion limited to 45 degrees or less and extension limited to 10 degrees or greater. The Veteran is granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for slight instability due to service connected traumatic arthritis of the right knee.,For the period from May 4, 2011 to November 24, 2015, the Veteran's right knee traumatic arthritis was characterized by dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of pain, locking, and effusion into the joint. The Veteran is granted a separate 20 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn the appeal for an increased disability rating for left total knee replacement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions have not warranted an increased rating in any of the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and the obtaining of relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied these claims.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and examining his employability given his service-connected disabilities. His claims for secondary psychiatric disorder and increased ratings are also pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability aggravated his left knee disability. The claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his in-service injury and current disability, as well as no chronicity of symptoms within one year post-service.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, arthritis of the right knee and leg, and bilateral flat feet. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and related conditions, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person prior to December 11, 2014.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and medical opinions are inadequate, and thus a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disorders.