Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure. The right knee disability is also found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her bilateral knee and hip disabilities have been denied. The evidence does not show that the conditions meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a VA examination if warranted. The issues of entitlement to higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since May 2009, reflecting limitation of flexion to 85 degrees and extension to 0 degrees. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities do not warrant an increased rating in excess of 10 percent. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities, thus denying these claims.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for right knee strain and right ankle sprain are being remanded due to the need for updated examinations and additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot and knee disabilities are not related to his service, including any exposure to cold weather. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability has not been manifested by symptomatology more nearly approximating malunion of the tibia and fibula with marked knee disability, thus the claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent is denied. Similarly, the right knee disability has not been manifested by symptomatology more nearly approximating limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees, thus the claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent is also denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examination reports are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has low back and knee disabilities and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran has been granted entitlement to specially adapted housing due to permanent and total service-connected disabilities that result in the loss of use of both lower extremities. The claim for a special home adaptation grant is denied as it is rendered moot by the grant of specially adapted housing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee arthritis is not etiologically related to his active service, and thus, denies the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, cervical spine strain, bilateral knee strain, and bilateral foot strain are not related to his service.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease that could have led to these current conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury, neck disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee injury. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions that can be traced back to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a chronic right knee disability, radiculopathy or neuropathy. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral knee condition was aggravated by active service and granted service connection for this disability.