Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inadequate examination, requiring further development.

The Veteran's right knee condition, which includes removal of meniscal cartilage and joint pain, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between his current left knee disability and his military service, as there was no objective evidence of organic pathology to explain his symptoms. For his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for compensation due to a right eye blindness resulting from a corneal transplant in VA hospital, the Board found that the proximate cause of the disability was not reasonably foreseeable and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed bilateral ankle and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee injury was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and he is currently rated at 10 percent for this disability.

The Board has ordered a remand to attempt to verify the Veteran's current address and schedule him for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed right knee, back, and neck disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chondromalacia of the patella of the right knee is granted, with secondary service connection also being granted due to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral knee injury residuals with chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease, and left ankle injury residuals with arthritis do not warrant an increased disability evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including ear disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral foot disorder, GERD, cramps in legs and feet, back disorder, headaches, arthritis of the hands, and skin infection of the feet are not supported by the evidence. The Board finds that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any period thereof.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is service-connected as it was incurred during active duty.,The Veteran's right knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his right thigh limitation of extensor muscle is also rated at 20 percent. The Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected post-operative left knee with degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent since December 10, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SGO records and a VA examination to determine if his current right knee disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a right knee disability. The claim for hypertension was denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis, while the claim for right knee disability was denied as there is no current evidence of such a condition.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a torn ligament of the left knee. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including medical examinations to assess these claims.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional service and medical records, including those from the Veteran's reserve service. The Veteran is also asked to provide any relevant VA or non-VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being housebound is remanded due to the need for current evaluations of his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only due to her ability to walk with a cane, drive, and use assistive devices.