Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected idiopathic gastroparesis, effective from the date of the May 2002 denial. The claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to an extension of the temporary total rating beyond November 30, 2010 for right knee surgery or other treatment necessitating convalescence until December 31, 2010.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to cervical spine degenerative intervertebral disc disease with left upper radiculopathy, residuals of left shoulder decompression with impingement, and bilateral knee arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee, left knee, and left hip disorders have been granted. Additionally, his migraine headaches have also been granted with a rating of 10 percent effective from May 11, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for a hearing before a different Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed low back, knee, hand, and foot disabilities on a direct basis.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle strain, left knee strain with degenerative spurring of the patella, and atrophic hole in the left retina. The rating for bilateral tinea pedis was found to be noncompensable as it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The rating for hammertoe of the left 5th toe was also found to be noncompensable.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 10 percent for the service-connected right ulnar nerve disability from March 15, 2006 to June 23, 2015 and a 30 percent rating beginning June 23, 2015. The Veteran's right knee patella femoral syndrome was also found to be incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and left L5-S1 radiculopathy. The claim of service connection for a left knee disability is reopened but remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right knee degenerative joint disease have been granted service connection. The initial rating for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a video-conference hearing and addressing the issues of reopening the left knee disability claim and rating PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits of his claims has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal regarding bilateral total knee replacements and left shoulder surgery.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected cervical spine and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Veteran's claim for DEA benefits was denied because his service-connected disabilities did not meet the requirement of permanent and total disability. The RO proposed to reduce his 100 percent rating for depressive disorder, but a TDIU rating has been granted. The case is being remanded to determine if the current severity of his service-connected disabilities are reasonably certain to continue throughout his life.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain missing VA records and for a VA examination. The issues are whether the Veteran has current right ankle, right knee, and right foot disabilities that had onset in-service or are otherwise etiologically related to active military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disability is etiologically related to her service-connected right knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increased rating for any of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability has been rated at 20 percent since July 30, 2012. The rating is based on limitation of flexion and extension.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing. Service connection claims for left knee and back disabilities are pending.