Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his bilateral knee conditions is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of limitation of motion or instability warranting higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require regular aid and attendance or render him housebound, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that either condition warrants a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The claims include reopening the service connection for undiagnosed illness, separate ratings for erectile dysfunction and bladder/bowel impairment, as well as seeking service connection for various conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled hearing. He will be rescheduled for a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection can be fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these are obtained.

The Veteran's left shoulder, right knee, and bilateral hand numbness disabilities have not been shown to be related to service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability being awarded. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome with DJD is dismissed.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee injury or related event in service and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his claimed left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and will reconsider them after obtaining additional STRs.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise on the question of nexus between the Veteran's left knee disability and service, including documented injury in-service and current symptoms. Service connection for a left knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain VA and private treatment records, service personnel records, and examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the appellant's claims for service connection. This includes obtaining relevant private treatment records, verifying her duty status during alleged in-service events, and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post right knee arthroplasty and degenerative disc disease at L4, L5, and S1, render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including limitation of extension and flexion due to degenerative joint disease, was granted a 30 percent evaluation effective January 8, 2013. The issues regarding the meniscectomy and retinacular release were not addressed as they are considered part of the service-connected degenerative joint disease.