Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated as 10% disabling. The left knee disability, secondary to the service-connected right knee disability, remains unestablished.,The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection of a left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and reviewing all available service records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for headaches, a neck disability, a head injury, and a right elbow disability, and for entitlement to an increased rating for a disability of little finger on the right hand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are related to his active military service and grants service connection for both right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for residuals, groin injury was reopened and granted service connection.,Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection is granted for diabetes mellitus, type 2 due to herbicide exposure.,Service connection is granted for a right knee disability.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling appropriate examinations, and providing opinions regarding the nature and likely etiology of his cervical spine, knee, and eye disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental VA medical opinion and scheduling an appropriate VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection have been granted, with the right knee disability receiving a total rating of 70 percent from June 29, 2010 to February 17, 2013, and since March 1, 2015. The Veteran is also entitled to TDIU and special monthly compensation based on housebound status.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of nexus between the appellant's in-service injury and his current right knee disability, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for higher ratings for chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees prior to July 1, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder, specifically strain and patellar tendinitis, is caused by his service-connected post-operative right knee injury with surgical scar. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA right knee examination. The issues on appeal are whether he should receive a combined rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected right knee disabilities and if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from maintaining full-time employment during the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 1, 2015. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence shows he was currently precluded from obtaining and maintaining such employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee degenerative arthritis is before the Board.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities. Finally, he seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is before the Board. The Veteran contends that his current psychiatric symptoms are related to his time in service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities. Finally, he seeks an increased rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is before the Board. The Veteran contends that his current psychiatric symptoms are related to his time in service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities. Finally, he seeks an increased rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish the condition was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board finds the evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran's right knee disability is a result of active military service, and grants her claim for service connection.