Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left knee degenerative arthritis were denied as there is no evidence of a change in the severity of his conditions since the most recent examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a copy of any June 22, 2009 and/or July 22, 2009 VA C&P examination report as cited by the VA addendum opinion. The case will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues of service connection and reopening claims are not addressed as this case has been returned to the Board.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability was granted, with a 30 percent evaluation effective June 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased initial ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and service connection for various conditions were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new disability evaluations or service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right ankle disability or skin disability (pseudofolliculitis barbae) that was incurred in service. The claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability is reopened based on new evidence provided by the Veteran's VA orthopedic provider.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for chondromalacia of the left knee and granted a rating of 40 percent, effective from when the original claim was filed. The Veteran's current bilateral chondromalacia patella is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran incurred a right medial meniscal tear during active service and this condition is considered to have been aggravated by service. As such, the claim for service connection for right knee disability is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but remands them for further development as a VA examination is needed to determine if the current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility for educational assistance under Chapter 33, Title 38, United States Code is denied as his service was characterized as honorable conditions and the reason for discharge was misconduct, not a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis prior to surgery and post-surgery total replacement, is rated at 20 percent for the period before September 28, 2006, and at 30 percent from November 1, 2007. The higher ratings are not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle arthritis and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee were granted service connection, with initial ratings of 10 percent each. The low back disorder was also granted service connection but with a different rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for osteochondritis dessicans, right knee prior to September 24, 2002 or a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee prior to September 24, 2002. The residuals of total knee replacement were rated at 60 percent effective from November 1, 2003. For the period beginning on November 1, 2003, the Veteran was found not entitled to a TDIU based on service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, patellar tendonitis, and meniscus tears is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran is granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with history of left trapezius strain, effective from December 20, 2004.,A separate 10 percent rating is granted for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, effective from February 8, 2010. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity, both effective from November 2, 2008.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, but denied them on their merits.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities did not begin during or as a result of his military service and denied his claim for service connection.