Knee decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to his military service and denied his claims for service connection, specially adapted housing assistance, and special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disorders are currently rated at 10 percent each, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service, including any in-service injury. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after this examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and leg disabilities were denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed disability.

The Veteran is entitled to a special home adaptation housing grant due to his service-connected disabilities that effectively preclude him from using his lower extremities without the aid of crutches or a wheelchair.

The Veteran's low back disorder is not service connected, but her RSD related to her knee disability is service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral knee and ankle disorders as secondary to his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus, L5-S1. The claim for an increased evaluation for the service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatic fever is not currently active, and he experiences no disabling residuals other than those for which service connection is currently in effect. Therefore, the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation for the service-connected rheumatic fever have not been met.

The Board has denied service connection for left wrist tendonitis and degenerative joint disease of the left wrist, as well as service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The claims were not granted due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, and a lower and middle back disorder. The Board found no current disability from these conditions and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to link any of them to her military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disorder was not aggravated by service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his knee disabilities have been denied. The current ratings are deemed appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis is also rated at 10 percent. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his hemorrhoids and left knee disorder.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and did not reopen the claim for left knee disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee arthritis due to trauma, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Veteran's disability picture encompasses a variety of significant multi-system disabilities, factually rendering her more often than not unable to safely perform virtually all activities of daily living without regular assistance from another person. The Board grants special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, stating he did not want to continue any appeals on the issues of service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities and an increased evaluation for a spine disability.