Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for further development, including consideration of whether his symptoms may be related to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee degeneration of the medial meniscus. The Veteran's current condition is found to be related to his in-service injury, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease and right knee injury with right medial meniscectomy. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disorders, as well as his skin disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are deemed to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have resulted in the loss of use of both feet and render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance. The appeal for SMC based on aid and attendance is granted, and the appeal for financial assistance for the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination for the left knee disability and scheduling an examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left ankle disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to address his claims of increased ratings for right knee disability and pseudofolliculitis barbae, as well as service connection for a left knee condition.

The Board found no current evidence of a bilateral knee or shoulder disability, and the low back disability was not shown to be related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected tinnitus and hearing loss, as well as his claims for service connection for various conditions. The Veteran was granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, Type II.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left and right knee disorders and folliculitis barbae. The special monthly compensation based on housebound status claim will also be readjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to March 12, 2013 will also be referred to the Director.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left tibia scar was denied in May 2013. The evidence submitted since that decision is not new and material.,The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, gastrointestinal disability (GERD and peptic ulcers), cervical spine disability, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral ankles, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral feet, hemorrhoids, right lower varicose veins, left lower varicose veins, PTSD, right foot bunionectomy scars, left foot bunionectomy scars, and right knee limitation of extension were not incurred in or a result of active duty service.,The Veteran's acne/rosacea/melasma was granted service connection on September 12, 2011, the day after she was discharged from active duty. The effective date for bilateral knee strain was also granted on September 12, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from October 18, 2010 to April 14, 2015 and then increased to 70 percent thereafter. The left knee subpatellar tendonitis warranted a separate 10 percent rating, while the left ankle sprain did not warrant an increase beyond its current 10 percent rating.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea and whether it is caused or aggravated by medication for service-connected right foot arthritis. Additionally, proper VCAA notice must be provided regarding the secondary aspect of his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity disorder, finding that her current condition is not related to her period of active duty. The remaining issues on appeal are pending and will require further development as per the April 2015 remand directives.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of degenerative joint disease in either knee on x-rays and the examiner stated that the Veteran had not mentioned any knee complaints to VA where he sought care. However, a new examination by an orthopedic specialist is needed due to the inadequate opinion.