Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video conference hearing, and the claims file should be returned to the Board after the hearing is conducted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional etiological opinions and compliance with prior Board remand instructions.

The Veteran's left knee instability and replacement disability have not met the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current knee disabilities and any in-service injury or incident.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and his bilateral Achilles tendonitis is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are not found to warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The Veteran is also receiving a 10 percent rating for his traumatic brain injury without residuals prior to March 28, 2013, with no further increase in rating.

The Veteran's low back disability, including sclerosis of the sacroiliac joint, was found to have its onset during service and is therefore granted as service connected. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and bilateral knee disabilities are also granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches was denied, and his right knee disability received separate ratings for limited extension and instability as of May 9, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating prior to March 25, 2009, or thereafter, and that the propriety of the assigned ratings was proper.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee arthritis was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected right knee arthritis. The claim for service connection for left knee arthritis was denied.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease as secondary to service-connected right foot, right ankle, right hip and/or low back disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action, including consideration of a separate rating based on lateral instability and/or subluxation under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Veteran's right and left foot hallux valgus with hammer toes are rated at the maximum 10 percent under Diagnostic Codes 5280 and 5282, respectively. The Veteran's left knee disability is also rated at the maximum 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5259.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his hallux valgus and hammer toes of both feet, as well as his left knee disability, are denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right and left knee disorders, as well as his right calf varicose veins, are at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. The right knee disability is also found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her bilateral knee and hip disabilities have been denied. The evidence does not show that the conditions meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a VA examination if warranted. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since May 2009, reflecting limitation of flexion to 85 degrees and extension to 0 degrees. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities do not warrant an increased rating in excess of 10 percent. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.