Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination as his right knee disability has worsened since the last examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral knee disabilities. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of his current bilateral knee disabilities and remands the case for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders, diagnosed as chronic strains, are due to his military service and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU effective June 1, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting the grant of SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for increased evaluations of service-connected hearing loss, low back disorder, and right knee disorder were not substantiated by the evidence presented.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, a hernia in the abdomen, and a left hand condition due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for traumatic arthritis. The Board has granted a separate 20 percent evaluation for dislocated semilunar cartilage of the right knee, effective from the date of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities were denied. The initial non-compensable and 10 percent ratings assigned to the right hand, left hand, bilateral pes planus, and right knee disability have been restored.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and notification of secondary service connection requirements.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the left knee disability, effective from August 1, 2007. The Veteran's calcaneal spurs were rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected muscle tension headaches, neurological complications of the lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc disease, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, left knee strain, right knee strain, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, and right knee strain with degenerative arthritis have all been denied. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular evaluation for his muscle tension headaches.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, right and left knee disorders, hip pain, and ankle disabilities have been granted. Separate ratings of 10 percent each are assigned for the right and left knee disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a temporary total rating due to left knee arthroplasty is denied as there is no legal basis for such a determination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to secure or maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient records and scheduling the Veteran for an orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing and issuance of an SOC on several issues. The claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral hip disability are currently before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee instability.