Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection, finding that his pes planus warranted a 50% rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right knee meniscectomy was denied as the evidence did not show impairment of the right knee characterized by recurrent subluxation and/or lateral instability, with overall range of motion being no worse than 0 to 130 degrees.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected degenerative joint and disc disease of the right knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings at any point.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous directives and for further development, including scheduling a VA social and industrial survey and an orthopedic examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip surgery scar and assigned an initial disability rating of 50 percent effective from November 19, 2009. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the right knee surgery scar is also addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating, and his claims for service connection of sinusitis, bilateral knee disorder, and back disorder are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development of his claims for higher initial ratings. The VA will provide the Veteran with another opportunity to submit information and evidence, obtain any additional evidence needed, and schedule a VA examination if necessary.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current right hand and knee/leg disabilities to his military service. The claims were denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, but denied reopening of his claim for a compensable evaluation for residuals of a right fifth metatarsal fracture. The Board found that new evidence received since the October 2004 rating decision raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for right and left knee conditions, but did not find service connection due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to military service or any other cause.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorders have been rated at the lowest possible initial rating of 10 percent, and no higher. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding warranting an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for asthma, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder need further development due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the rate allowed by 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(r)(2) is granted, as he receives necessary and life-sustaining daily health care with hands-on facilitation by his wife who has received specific training and performs under the direction, guidance, and supervision of a caregiver.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated as 10 percent disabling since April 29, 2010.,Prior to April 29, 2010, the Veteran's right shoulder disorder status post Bankhart procedure was rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and thus the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service records and personnel records. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, low back, and left knee disabilities were evaluated. The claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has granted a separate evaluation for left knee limitation of motion but denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. The case is now remanded to the RO for another VA examination to determine the nature and extent of the appellant's left knee limitation of motion, including any additional functional loss.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision to terminate TDIU benefits effective June 1, 2006 was improper and restored the Veteran's TDIU rating.