Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-operative medial meniscectomy with degenerative changes, has been rated at 10 percent since November 25, 2008. The current examination shows flexion limited to 90 degrees and extension limited to 5 degrees.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing due to his request for one.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his left knee disorder and Crohn's disease.

The Veteran's multiple non-service-connected disabilities, including hernias with progression to an intestinal fistula and arthritis of multiple joints, render her helpless or so nearly helpless that she requires the regular aid and attendance of another person for special monthly pension purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination, as well as a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The TDIU claim has also been raised.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for treatment provided by the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in May 2007 was denied due to lack of additional disability caused by VA care, and his right knee injury claim is pending.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance in 2013 was denied as the items claimed did not qualify under VA regulations. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information from a VA examiner or designee of the Undersecretary for Health.

The Veteran's bilateral knee, wrist (CTS), and gastrointestinal disorders are found to be related to service. The Board grants these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, stroke, DM, and peptic ulcer disease. The issues of reopening claims for bilateral hearing loss, vision disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and low back disability are also denied.

The Veteran's right knee strain with instability has been rated at 10 percent since January 1, 2007 and before July 5, 2011.

The Veteran's residuals of a left knee injury have resulted in pain and swelling, with occasional 'locking,' but no ankylosis, recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The Board found that the disability did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for arthritis, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion is limited to 60 degrees with pain.

The Board has found that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed to include arthritis, existed continuously since separation from service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's right knee disability was caused by physical inactivity due to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. The evidence does not support service connection as there is no indication of any in-service injury or chronic condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge sitting at the RO. The issues include service connection claims and rating disputes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease with osteochondromatosis, or right knee degenerative joint disease prior to June 1, 2015.

The Veteran's March 2007 stroke is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is also service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining medical records from SSA and a VA examination.