Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at a noncompensable level, but the April 2016 VA examination shows flexion to 90 degrees with pain causing functional loss. The Veteran meets the criteria for a 10% rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage and painful flexion, has been granted a non-compensable rating. The Board found that a separate 10 percent rating is warranted for each issue.

The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right tibia and fibula were rated 20 percent from September 3, 2008 to April 15, 2013; 20 percent from April 16, 2013 to August 13, 2014; and 30 percent on and after August 14, 2014. The Veteran's scars were rated 20 percent from September 3, 2008 to April 15, 2013; 30 percent from April 16, 2013 to August 13, 2014; and 40 percent on and after August 14, 2014. The Veteran's claims were granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling records. Additionally, new examinations are needed for his bilateral knee disabilities, inguinal hernia residuals, kidney stone residuals, and hemorrhoids.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for DJD of the bilateral knees, finding that it is related to his active duty service in Antarctica and Greenland.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his current left knee disability is related to his military service, and denied the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic pyelonephritis with chronic cystitis, degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the knees, hearing loss, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that a TDIU is warranted.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to scheduling issues for VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection for various spine and knee disorders are now pending.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, including arthritis, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of left hand surgery. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder secondary to deviated nasal septum is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back and right knee disabilities. The issues on appeal are whether the Veteran is entitled to increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for back disability and right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are more likely than not related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's headaches, PTSD, vertigo, degenerative changes of the cervical and lumbar spine, right knee with chondromalacia, left knee with chondromalacia, and right shoulder, status-post acromioclavicular separation have been rated based on their current severity.,No further rating increases are warranted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's loss of the left lower leg, for which he uses a prosthetic limb, is considered a 'static disability.' The Board finds that his continued eligibility for the VA annual clothing allowance should have already been established in previous years and thus filing an application for 2015 was unnecessary. As such, payment of a VA annual clothing allowance for 2015 is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective July 18, 2015.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional examination and testing related to the Veteran's right knee condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, and right hip disabilities are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service.