Knee Board decisions

The Board is remanding the case to provide Kent notification and obtain additional evidence related to the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and bilateral knee disorder will be reconsidered.

The Veteran meets the percentage standards for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities and is unemployable.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by arthritis and instability, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes. The Board found that her symptoms were adequately addressed within the current ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right and left knees, migraine headaches, varicose veins of the right and left lower extremities, and allergic rhinitis have been granted initial disability ratings. Service connection for urinary tract infection and sinusitis has been denied.

The Board finds that a right knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and updating treatment records from VA facilities in Rome and Syracuse.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to clear and unmistakable error in granting service connection for urinary frequency.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating of 100% effective from the date of claim, June 5, 1997.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, was granted a combined rating of 10 percent effective from the date of his July 2004 initial grant of service connection. The RO also awarded separate ratings for limitation of extension (20%) and loss of flexion (20%), effective May 22, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including major depression with a sleep disorder, fatigue, bilateral knee, hand, and foot disorders, as well as joint and muscle pain. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were due to an undiagnosed illness or any other basis.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right knee disorder, finding that his symptoms did not warrant such an increase.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative changes in the left knee have been denied as there is no evidence of instability or subluxation, and the range of motion is full.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, rated at 60 percent disabling, satisfies the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral wrist and hand disability (carpal tunnel syndrome), bilateral knee disability, and arthritis. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms.

The VA denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for various conditions, including bilateral tinnitus, hearing loss, right ankle disorder, arthritis of the right ankle, lump masses throughout the body, residuals of a bilateral eye injury, multiple joint arthritis, right elbow condition, right knee disability, facial paralysis, and injuries to the tailbone and hips.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bilateral knee disabilities and bilateral hearing loss are not related to service, including his military service in Vietnam. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a favorable decision for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability caused or aggravated his current left knee and left hip disabilities.