Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to SMC for loss of use of one foot due to his service-connected left knee disability. However, he is not entitled to SMC based on a need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

Throughout the period of the appeal, the Veteran's left knee disability has been manifested by limitation of flexion; flexion has not been limited to less than 45 degrees. The disability has not resulted in limitation of extension, ankylosis, recurrent subluxation, lateral instability, or frequent episodes of locking, pain and effusion into the joint.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his meniscal tear, has been rated at 10 percent since March 21, 2011. The rating for the pre-surgery period remains unchanged.

Service connection for headaches was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss, but service connection remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his knee disabilities, service connection for shoulder and arm disorders, scar on the back of the head, and neck disorder were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is attributable to military service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension were denied as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and remanded the remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee and back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for the Veteran's left knee disability from 30 percent to 10 percent, effective June 1, 2010, was not proper and restored the original 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected left knee disorder, including as secondary.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability, right knee disability, or tooth and jaw disability for VA purposes. As such, his claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee and hip degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's arthritis was manifest within one year of his separation from active duty.

The Veteran's appeal was not timely filed, and the Board lacks jurisdiction to consider the merits of his claims.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for a right knee disability due to his request to withdraw it. The claims of entitlement to service connection for TBI residuals are denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or manifest within one year thereafter, and the current symptoms do not meet the criteria for TBI.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee DJD has not manifested a compensable limitation with respect to flexion or extension, but his right knee has remained symptomatic despite several partial removals of his semilunar cartilage. The Board granted an increased rating of 10 percent for the disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to new evidence provided by the Veteran and other issues needing consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent medical records and for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since August 2004, and he is entitled to a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee. The Veteran's dysthymic disorder with associated alcoholism remains rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, right wrist, left wrist, right hand (palm disorder), left hand (palm disorder), right shoulder, left shoulder osteoarthritis, right knee, and left knee disorders are not service-connected.