Knee decisions — 2008

The Board found that the cause of the veteran's death, cardiac arrest, was not related to service-connected conditions or any other condition incurred in or aggravated by active duty. The Board concluded that diabetes mellitus did not have a causal relationship with the veteran's in-service accident and therefore could not be considered as having been caused by service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a right knee disability related to his military service and denied his claim. The issue of peripheral neuropathy is also denied as it was determined to be secondary to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disorder, right femoral fracture residuals, right distal forearm fracture residuals, and left wrist fracture residuals as secondary to service-connected sciatic neuritis, left.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee condition is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for a right knee condition secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that an additional examination is needed to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of the veteran's claimed knee disabilities. The claim for service connection remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development of the medical evidence, including a VA examination and compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records and hearing requests.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right knee disorder or arthritis of the right knee that was incurred in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and herniated nucleus pulposus L4-5 is currently rated at 40 percent, effective August 30, 2002.,His right inguinal hernia repair with residuals is currently rated at 10 percent, also effective August 30, 2002.,The veteran's status-post meniscectomy of the left knee with residuals is currently rated at 10 percent, also effective August 30, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left knee disability caused or aggravated his back, right knee, and right thigh/hip disabilities. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee condition existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability is directly related to his service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a current right knee disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's knee arthritis and the current severity of his lumbar spine disorder.

The veteran's right knee Baker's cyst and osteoarthritis were not found to warrant a higher rating for the period February 1, 2003, to March 16, 2007.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of evidence, including obtaining recent medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disorder and determine if any right toe condition is related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee condition during service or within one year after discharge, and concluded that the current disability is not related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's request for a special home adaptation grant was denied, and the appeal regarding the January 2005 grant of special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic arthritis of the right knee. The veteran's back disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.