Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from March 2007 to August 2012 at Sierra Vista Dental, M.A.L., D.D.S., and J.B.L., D.M.D was denied as the treatment was not authorized in advance by VA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected lumbar spine and associated neurological disabilities did not meet the criteria for TDIU due to their moderate impact on employment. The issue of service connection for bilateral knee disorder as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability was also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of left knee strain/sprain did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his limitation of extension was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and low/mid back disabilities, but granted a 20% rating for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of onset or causation in service. The claim for an initial rating for IBS remains pending.

The Board has determined that a right knee disability was not incurred or aggravated as a result of active service and therefore denied the claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is currently rated at 10 percent. The issues of increased rating for the right knee disability and initial PTSD rating prior to April 13, 2013 are addressed.

The Veteran's left knee, right knee, and left shoulder disabilities are all found to be service-connected.,However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not considered a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities have resulted in a rating of 90 percent, which is the highest possible under current regulations. The Board has determined that this rating is correct and no higher rating can be granted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of fibromyalgia, cervical spine, stomach, right hip, right knee, or right ankle disorders. The adjustment disorder is rated at 50% and no higher.

The Board has determined that the claims must be remanded for new VA examinations to properly assess the Veteran's current level of disability due to his service-connected PTSD, depressive disorder not otherwise specified, and panic disorder without agoraphobia, as well as his left ankle sprain. Additionally, all relevant VA treatment records from 1991 to present should be obtained.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, right and left wrist disabilities, and a back disability. The Board finds that these conditions are at least in equipoise with his military service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral wrist disabilities, and back disability.

The Veteran seeks compensation for a left lower extremity above the knee amputation, claiming that earlier detection of his vascular disorder could have prevented the need for the amputation. The Board has ordered additional medical opinions to determine if VA's carelessness or negligence caused the amputation.

The Board has denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as there is no new and material evidence received since the October 2006 rating decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder preexisted service and was not aggravated by active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and chondromalacia of the right knee, is not service-connected.,There is no evidence of a current skin disease other than pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The effective date of the TDIU award is July 28, 1993.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for pes planus and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and left hip arthritis, as well as his bilateral shoulder disabilities, are caused by his service-connected amputation of the right leg above the knee. As such, these claims for service connection have been granted.