Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including above the knee amputation of the left lower extremity and osteoarthritis of the right knee, have caused functional loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board finds that this meets the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability, which resulted in a total knee replacement, began during service and has continued since. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left knee disability (status post surgery), and left ear hearing loss were denied. The RO assigned initial disability evaluations of 20%, 10%, and none respectively.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination for his bilateral knee disabilities and readjudication of the TDIU claim. The acquired psychiatric disorder issue must also be addressed in a Statement of the Case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral knee disability (other than gout), as well as his claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension. The Veteran did not have sufficient evidence to establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The anxiety disorder was rated at 50% since September 10, 2010, and the residuals of resection of the distal clavicle of the right (major) shoulder, patellofemoral syndrome of both knees, and forehead scar as a residual of a head injury were all rated at 10%. The Veteran was not granted any additional ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been evaluated at 10 percent since September 18, 2000. The Board has denied his claims for increased evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his prior denial was not final and that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a left knee disability due to incomplete in-patient records from December 1957. The other claims are deferred until the remand is completed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of myocardial infarction with an initial disability rating of 100 percent effective April 19, 2010. The claims for lumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, and right knee/leg disorder have been reopened due to new and material evidence received since the May 2003 denial.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to a material change in disability since his last VA examination, and the need for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's headaches were found to be related to service, and she is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected knee disabilities and for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and consideration, including obtaining relevant medical records and service personnel records.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 5261 for limitation of flexion. The right broncogenic cyst excision residuals are not compensable.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple service connection claims and a challenge to the validity of an overpayment of VA benefits. The Board is remanding the case for further development, including adjudicating whether the underlying debt was validly created.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the service-connected right knee disability, effective from the date of the decision. The rating is based on limitation of flexion and instability.

The Board has granted service connection for lupus and the associated hip, shoulder, and joint conditions. The Veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain is rated at 40 percent from October 18, 1997.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.