Knee Board decisions

The Veteran is currently prevented from engaging in all forms of substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected right knee disability, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a left knee injury, bilateral hearing loss, and a service-connected left knee scar. The claim for tinnitus was also denied as there is no evidence linking it to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lower back and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee with a small radial tear in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. The claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee is being remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee injury, status post reduction-internal fixation of the proximal tibia, is characterized by slight limitation of flexion with objective evidence of pain. The criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal involves the assignment of disability ratings for his service-connected left knee disorder. The issues are whether he is entitled to a higher rating prior to April 3, 2002 and after that date.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left knee disorder. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left leg, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are related to his service. As a result, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the claims, and the underlying claims of service connection were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability is rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for increased ratings of his right and left wrist disabilities as well as his right and left elbow disabilities has been granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder should be remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and missing medical records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran must provide copies of all service treatment records in his possession, complete any necessary development as directed by M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, and receive legally adequate notice for the claim on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting entitlement to special monthly compensation based on such need.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral disc disease at L5-S1 and post-surgical left knee injury, have resulted in the need for special adapted housing or adaptive equipment. The Veteran is also eligible for special monthly compensation based on his need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extension of a temporary total rating for convalescence following his left knee surgery, and also denied his claim for a higher rating for his service-connected internal derangement of the left knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, low back disorder, left elbow disorder, and right shoulder disorder were denied. The claim for service connection for left eye episcleritis (claimed as episcleritis) was granted.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claim to the RO for further development and consideration due to issues related to the diagnosis of a left knee disability, its causation, and whether it was caused by VA care.