Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders. The evidence now shows current diagnoses of degenerative joint disease and patella tendinitis, which are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right hip or right knee disability and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance has been dismissed as it was granted in a prior decision, but not implemented. The right knee disability claim is pending, and the left knee disability claim is being reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records and for a new examination. The case will be reviewed after the requested actions are completed.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee condition is not related to his service or due to a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining additional service records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's knee disorders are related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability is due to injuries sustained during his period of active service, and grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of diabetes mellitus, type II in service or within one year thereafter, and the Veteran was not exposed to herbicides during his service in Korea. Therefore, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's ankle, knee, and shoulder conditions did not manifest in service or within one year of discharge. The medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on a scheduler basis or an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including traumatic arthritis and total knee replacement, was evaluated as 10 percent prior to January 9, 2009; 100 percent from January 9, 2009; and 60 percent since March 1, 2010.

The Board found that the reduction from a 50% to a 10% rating for traumatic arthritis of the right knee was not warranted, as there was no actual improvement in the underlying condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability and renal dysfunction. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions as there is no evidence that they were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including lumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip, bilateral knees, jaw fracture residuals (temporomandibular joint), and left elbow disabilities, are granted.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis and instability have been granted service connection with a 10 percent disability rating effective August 14, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disorder are all granted. The Board found that the Veteran had current diagnoses of tinnitus but not bilateral hearing loss or a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's arthritis of the bilateral knees, right hip, and lumbar spine are not related to service or any incident of service. The Board finds that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no current left knee disability and denied service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's right, cervical spine, and low back disabilities were not granted as service connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for facial scars, head injuries/headaches, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of all issues.