Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, left ear hearing loss disability, and left knee disability. The claim for an increased rating for bipolar disorder was also denied.

The Veteran seeks to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The Board found that corrective VCAA notice must be sent to the Veteran in accordance with Kent v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 1 (2006).,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability is remanded for additional development.,The Veteran seeks service connection for stomach problems secondary to medication taken to manage pain from his low back disability. The Board found that a VA examination and opinion were required before it could adjudicate the claim.,The Veteran seeks service connection for general pain throughout the body. The Board found that a VA examination was necessary for ascertainment of a disability manifested by such pain as well as for an opinion regarding etiology in the event that the a disability manifested by pain in the body is diagnosed.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability is remanded for additional development. The TDIU claim was found to be inextricably intertwined with the service-connection claims on appeal, as TDIU requires consideration of the impact of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran seeks a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disability. The Board found that he TDIU claim was inextricably intertwined with the service-connection claims on appeal, as TDIU requires consideration of the impact of all service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's ability to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee strain is related to his military service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted for the entire appeal period.,For the period prior to July 22, 2015, the Veteran's right knee disability was rated as noncompensable. Since then, she has been assigned a 10 percent rating.

The Board finds that there is no current right knee disability and the Veteran's reported symptoms are not supported by medical evidence. As such, service connection for a right knee disability cannot be granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity, traumatic arthritis with loose body of the right elbow, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) remains pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease as secondary to her service-connected bilateral pes planus, right knee arthritis, and left knee DJD. The remaining issues of increased ratings and TDIU are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and completion of the Veteran's VA Form 21-8940. The TDIU issue will also be addressed.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since November 12, 2008. The evidence does not show that the disability warrants a higher rating during any part of the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed hip disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, or left knee disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and any extant vocational rehabilitation records. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right leg disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are proximately due to or caused by her service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's PFB warrants a 60 percent initial rating based on constant or near-constant systemic therapy. The other claims are either denied or not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions were awarded effective October 1, 2010. The Board finds that the earlier effective dates are denied as a matter of law.

The Board found that the medical treatment provided by SCH on June 25, 2009 did not meet the prudent layperson standard for an emergency condition and thus denied payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses.

The Veteran is granted an annual clothing allowance for the year 2013 due to service-connected disabilities resulting in the need for back and knee braces that cause wear and tear on his outer garments.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to February 18, 2009, was manifested by x-ray evidence of arthritis and limitation of flexion. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding of instability or recurrent subluxation.