Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's low back degenerative disc disease is found to be at least as likely as not caused by her service-connected left knee arthritis. The claims for higher ratings of the left knee disabilities and for service connection for a psychiatric disability are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and VA/VA-authorized treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a disease or injury incurred in service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance based on bilateral knee braces used due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development and clarification of the facts.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and is not related to his service-connected lumbar or right ankle disabilities. The Veteran's bilateral hip disability has not been addressed in the remand request.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The appeal is now pending again with the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed dental, psychiatric, and musculoskeletal conditions. The decision also addressed his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a seizure disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition, left knee chondromalacia, patellofemoral syndrome and iliotibial band syndrome of the bilateral knees were incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a more detailed examination regarding his right knee disability and DVT of the right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for additional development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding his left knee disorder and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case on his claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings were denied across multiple conditions, with the Board finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively result in the permanent loss of use of both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of a wheelchair. However, because he is eligible for assistance under 38 U.S.C.A. § 2101(a) in acquiring specially adapted housing, he cannot also receive a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, right knee replacement, left knee chondromalacia and left knee debridement, were the underlying cause of his death from cardiac arrhythmia due to coronary artery disease. The Appellant's testimony supports this finding.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a Board hearing via videoconference technology at his local AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and employment information.

The Veteran's left knee disability was restored to a 40 percent rating, and the claim for service connection of his back disability has been reopened.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle arthritis has been rated at 20 percent disabling, the maximum evaluation available under Diagnostic Code 5271 for limitation of motion of the ankle. The Veteran's left knee arthritis is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disease, skin lesion, and bilateral knee condition due to his request for withdrawal. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no evidence that it is related to active military service.