Knee decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed left foot, ankle, and knee disabilities did not have onset during service or are not related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current knee conditions and his active service.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and back disabilities, finding no credible evidence of a nexus between current diagnoses and service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, with no specific service connection granted for other conditions. The rating reflects the current level of impairment due to PTSD alone.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear at his scheduled Travel Board hearing. The claim will be returned for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is caused or made worse by his service-connected osteoarthritis of the left knee.,However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's low back disorder and his active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability, as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination. The issue is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral leg/knee disability and low back disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not etiologically related to his period of active service or due to his service-connected pes planus.,Service connection was granted for pes planus in November 1973. The Veteran is currently rated at 50% for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, but denied his claim for a compensable rating for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist. The decision is based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and reopening of a previously denied claim were all denied as the current evaluations are deemed adequate.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and his representative, thus dismissing the case.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including syncope, depression, lumbar spine strain, left knee disability, and frequent falls. The issue of eligibility for specially adapted housing was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine the appropriate disability rating for his service-connected Reiter's syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee strain and TMJ dysfunction are related to his service, granting his claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from October 6 to October 9, 2009 at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center were for emergency treatment due to a significant injury and could not be safely transferred to a VA facility until his condition stabilized on October 9, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right knee patellar tendonitis was manifested by pain, swelling, stiffness, tenderness, soreness, fatigue, and crepitus. The disability resulted in limitation of flexion to 90 degrees and functional impairment or limitation of certain daily activities and motions. As such, the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent were not met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in an impairment of her ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests. Therefore, she does not have an employment handicap for vocational rehabilitation purposes.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left knee, right knee, or left leg disability proximate to the appeal period. The Veteran's claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee have been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the submission of any relevant medical records. The issues on appeal are whether he should receive a higher rating for his left inguinal hernia surgery scar, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a right knee disability.