Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an orthopedic examination and completion of a VA Form 21-8940. The case will be returned to the Board for further appellate consideration if necessary.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and an opinion on the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for direct service connection. The Board also found no evidence of secondary service connection based on a right knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the Veteran's service personnel records, including those pertaining to his USAR service. The claims for left knee disability, low back disability, and bilateral radiculopathy are inextricably intertwined with this request.

The Board found that the Veteran's upper back strain and right knee degenerative joint disease do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. His right knee arthritis post-arthroplasty remains at a 30% rating since December 1, 2010. His instability of the left knee has been granted at a 30% rating after May 2, 2014.

The Board found that the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and thus granted severance of this condition. The Veteran's other claims were denied as there is no evidence linking any current disabilities to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an increased rating for his service-connected back disability. The Veteran's right knee disability was not found to be related to service, and the assigned 60 percent rating for his back disability is considered adequate.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary due to the lack of a compliant opinion from the May 2014 VA examiner. The Veteran's right knee disability will be reviewed again with consideration for his lay statements and medical history.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not related to his service, as any knee injuries sustained in service were acute and resolved without residual disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and address the newly submitted evidence. The right knee disability is inextricably intertwined with the left knee and low back disabilities, so all three conditions will be addressed together.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection and increased ratings for various joint disabilities, as well as a claim for TDIU. The Board has ordered additional development to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the claims of service connection for left knee and right knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to SMC for loss of use of one foot due to his service-connected left knee disability. However, he is not entitled to SMC based on a need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

Throughout the period of the appeal, the Veteran's left knee disability has been manifested by limitation of flexion; flexion has not been limited to less than 45 degrees. The disability has not resulted in limitation of extension, ankylosis, recurrent subluxation, lateral instability, or frequent episodes of locking, pain and effusion into the joint.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his meniscal tear, has been rated at 10 percent since March 21, 2011. The rating for the pre-surgery period remains unchanged.

Service connection for headaches was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss, but service connection remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his knee disabilities, service connection for shoulder and arm disorders, scar on the back of the head, and neck disorder were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is attributable to military service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were denied as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.