Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records and a new VA examination to determine whether he has any neurological residuals related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased evaluation for residuals of left knee injury was granted, with a 10 percent disability rating effective February 17, 2010. The appeal regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is considered 'unknown' as it does not pertain to the current decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for tricuspid regurgitation, removal of gallbladder, genitourinary disorder, and right hip disorder will be addressed in separate decisions.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disability, a right knee and leg disability (claimed as arthritis), a skin rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The issues are about service connection for these conditions, but the nature of the appeal is unclear due to missing or incomplete records.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed left hip disorder, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, fibromyalgia, neck disorder, low back disorder, or right knee disorder.,Service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding service connection for various shoulder, knee, and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned a 10 percent evaluation, the maximum authorized under Diagnostic Code 6260. The Board finds that there is no legal basis for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA clinical records and inadequate examination opinions. The case is now pending with instructions to obtain additional records and provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMC under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in the May 2010 VA examination, and a new opinion is required from the examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of bilateral knees and an increased rating for PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's left knee replacement residuals have not been productive of chronic severely painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity, flexion limited to 45 degrees, extension limited to 10 degrees, any subluxation or lateral instability, ankylosis, malunion of the tibia and fibula, dislocated semilunar cartilage, or locking of the knee. Therefore, a rating in excess of 30 percent for left total knee replacement from August 1, 2011 is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is as likely due to his service-connected left knee injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims to the RO for additional development due to missing service medical records.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, gout, sleep apnea, right hip bursitis, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are remanded due to the need for further development regarding service connection.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The claims for right and left knee disabilities are remanded as additional development is needed to determine if service connection can be granted. The claim for lumbar spine disability remains inapplicable due to lack of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and the acquisition of more recent treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder. The Board also found that the Veteran's current right knee disabilities are related to an inservice injury, thus granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right elbow, left elbow, right knee, or left knee disability. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also found to be normal at the time of examination and no organic disease of the nervous system is presumed due to service. As such, all claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee disability. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions are completed.