Knee decisions — 2011

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right hip, left hip, and low back disabilities as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus due to insufficient evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his service.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his low back disability and cervical spine disability, as well as bilateral knee disabilities, were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the old or new rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability that was incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of protecting himself from daily life hazards without the aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has found that the appellant's left knee disorder is attributable to service, and thus granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The right knee issue and cough/tightness in chest/lungs issue are pending as further evidence or clarification is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected reactive airways disease was manifested by the use of an inhaler on a daily basis from October 4, 1997 to August 21, 2007. The RO granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for this disability during that period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and the issue of service connection for a chronic sinus condition is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder and low back disorder are related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed left and right ankle, knee, and shoulder disorders, finding that they are related to his in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for CUE in the October 1986 rating decision and for an earlier effective date, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error and that the correct facts were considered at the time of the decision. The claim for service connection was granted but not before July 9, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are rated as analogous to bursitis under DC 5019, and the claims for increased ratings have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee condition was aggravated by his service, and therefore grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims for service connection for sleep apnea and increased rating for left knee strain.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for heart disability, reopening of arthritis of the right knee claim, and income excessiveness for VA pension benefits was granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for right knee disability and finds that new and material evidence has been presented. The Veteran's right knee injury during combat in 1945 is established, leading to a finding of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spouse is not in need of regular aid and attendance, as she was able to leave her home and perform some personal activities without assistance.