Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of left knee injury with degenerative arthritis, status post meniscectomies and total knee arthroplasty prior to January 11, 2016 was denied. The claim for a compensable rating for laxity of the left knee from January 1, 2011 through January 10, 2016 was also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating under VA guidelines. The RO should also consider whether he is eligible for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disorder, specifically addressing whether it is at least as likely as not caused by his military service. The case will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities have been withdrawn by the appellant. The claimant is granted a TDIU rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal seeking attorney fees from past-due benefits in excess of those already awarded due to lack of standing and incorrect calculations, as well as the issues not being properly raised.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent.,Prior to December 4, 2011, the Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent. Since then, it has been rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a separate 10 percent rating for traumatic arthritis of the left knee is dismissed as there is no remaining error in the original rating decision.

The Veteran is granted an annual clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year due to his service-connected right knee disabilities, as wear and tear from a VA-issued hinged brace causes damage to his outer garments.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of the issues of nonservice-connected pension benefits and special monthly pension by reason of being in need of regular aid and attendance or on account of being housebound. The Board is dismissing these claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his active service and therefore, denies the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his left knee and right shoulder conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The case is being remanded for further development and re-adjudication, including obtaining additional medical records, addressing the Veteran's TDIU claim, and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his left knee disability and bilateral feet disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and determined that it is proximately due to a service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right ear disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hip disability are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating of 10 percent for left knee instability under Diagnostic Code 5257 has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran is not entitled to an extraschedular rating for his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the severity of the Veteran's right knee disabilities. The issues include service connection for a cervical spine disability, increased ratings for right knee instability and arthritis, and individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and his authorized representative, thus dismissing both issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), left knee disability, kidney disorder, and hypertension. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination reports and other procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to incomplete development of evidence and need for additional medical opinions.