Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records from before 2001 and any relevant treatment at a Los Angeles County hospital. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her right knee chondromalacia with history of recurrent subluxation is granted, and she remains rated at a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his right shoulder disability, the nature and etiology of his right knee disorder, and the nature and etiology of his hypertension.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for minimal degenerative disc and joint disease at the L5-S1 level, patellar spurring of the left knee, and patellar spurring of the right knee as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder, right shoulder rotator cuff disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral knee disorder were not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, with no evidence of arthritis or instability. The current ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran's symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right above the knee amputation and peripheral artery disease (PAD), finding that these conditions were not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and left knee disabilities, as well as a respiratory disability. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his current right knee disorder is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for each knee, finding that there was no evidence showing limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or extension beyond normal range. The Veteran's knees were found to have compensable limitations but not reaching higher rating criteria.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for right knee meniscal disability, effective September 1, 2010. The Veteran's right knee arthritis is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran is eligible for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) since April 11, 2011 due to his unemployability and the combined disability rating of his remaining service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants an initial rating of 70 percent from November 20, 2007 through August 13, 2008 due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, consistent with his occupational experience and background. Therefore, the Board grants entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's inability to attend a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after the additional development is completed.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including the reopening of a claim for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees and claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, major joints, and lumbar spine.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing due process notice regarding reopening a previously denied claim.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease with meniscus tear is rated at 20 percent prior to December 27, 2011.,The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease with meniscus tear and instability are each rated at 10 percent from October 2, 2012, through December 31, 2012.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for initial compensable ratings for hearing loss and higher initial ratings for right knee disability. As a result, the claims are dismissed.