Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent for arthritis with painful motion, and no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status as a result of service-connected disabilities is denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for left knee arthroplasty and TDIU were denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's left knee disability, following total knee replacement in 2006, did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation based on ankylosis or limitation of motion.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral knee disorder was not aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since April 21, 2008. The claim for a higher rating is denied as the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability, as secondary to his left knee disability, has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received. Service connection is granted for the right knee disability on a secondary basis. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim remains pending. His left shoulder disability claim also remains pending. Increased ratings are sought for both service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a lumbar spine disability and a right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, with erectile dysfunction is currently evaluated at 20 percent. The left ankle sprain with a history of gout warrants a 10 percent evaluation. Both right knee and left knee degenerative joint disease are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition and remanded it for further development, including obtaining STRs and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying his representation status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request to reschedule his videoconference hearing. The claims for service connection will be handled in an expeditious manner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The conditions were found not to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee scar and joint disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to military service.,Service connection was also denied for cold injury residuals of the hands and feet due to lack of evidence showing such conditions were incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that there was no new and material evidence to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy. The effective date for the grant of a 10 percent rating for a painful right ankle scar is October 17, 1994.

The Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound due to his age over 65 and having a combined service-connected disability rating of 40 percent, which is more than the required 30 percent when considering non-service connected disabilities. His combined evaluation for pension is 70 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee postoperative medial meniscus residuals did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there was no evidence of moderate instability or limitation of motion. The Veteran is already rated for his degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's appeal does not involve service connection for a right bicep disability. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of a current right bicep disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-prosthetic replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent. A separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee has been granted.