Knee Board decisions

The Board has decided the claims for higher initial ratings for left knee and left ankle disabilities, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The April 16, 2005 rating decisions denying service connection for depression and bilateral knee disorders are final as the Veteran did not express disagreement or submit new and material evidence within one year of notice.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected thoracic scoliosis and lumbar lordosis, as well as any current bilateral knee and hearing loss disabilities. The TDIU claim is also part of this appeal.

The Veteran is entitled to an increased level of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including renal insufficiency with nephrotic syndrome, left eye blindness, right below the knee amputation, anatomical loss of left foot status post above-the-knee amputation and loss of use of right hand, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left upper extremity polyneuropathy (non-dominant), hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and diabetic retinopathy.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his right shoulder and right knee disabilities prior to March 17, 2012, and since that date have been denied.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his/her authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling based on arthritis with painful motion. The claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The Board finds that the cause of the Veteran's death is not related to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee scar did not increase in severity during his active duty and was not otherwise related to his service. The Board also found no evidence of a current right knee disability or any link between the service-connected left biceps femoris tendinopathy (hamstring tendinopathy) and the Veteran's right knee condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Naval Academy treatment records and a supplemental medical opinion regarding his left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his bilateral knee and left wrist disabilities, and determining their current severity.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left knee disability due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The low back disability is also considered as secondary to the left knee disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a left knee disability and granted it as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability. The decision is based on new evidence provided by the Veteran, including medical opinions linking his current knee condition to his service-connected ankle disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected due to noise exposure during active duty. Service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as migraine headaches, are denied. The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder is granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing documents from the appellant's healthcare providers and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated under Diagnostic Code 5260-5010 for limitation of flexion and traumatic arthritis. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for both left and right knee DJD have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity and symptomatology of her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The low back disorder issue remains pending as it requires further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted effective May 6, 1999. His left knee disabilities and urethral stricture disease were also granted effective that date. The combined rating is now at 60 percent.