Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including below knee amputation of the left lower extremity and loss of use of the right lower extremity, required regular aid and attendance throughout his lifetime. The Board granted SMC based upon this need.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability effective February 13, 2013. The Veteran's right hip and left knee disabilities were not service-connected, but his depressive disorder was increased to 50 percent from January 28, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea, left knee disability, urinary dysfunction disability, right hip sacroiliac joint dysfunction with limitation of adduction, extension, and flexion, as well as left hip sacroiliac joint dysfunction with limitation of abduction, extension, and flexion are not related to his service or due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with cognitive disorder is rated at the highest available level (50%) and his TBI with memory loss is rated at 10%. The other conditions are rated appropriately based on their severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are not service-connected as they were not shown in service or within one year of discharge. The weight of evidence is against a finding that these conditions are related to his service-connected residuals from a right hip fracture.

The Board has granted the appellant's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, and gout and arthritis of multiple joints. The July 1979 rating decision denying right knee disability is not found to contain CUE.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were denied, with the right knee disability receiving staged ratings and the left knee disability not receiving a higher rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and right knee contusion with degenerative changes are not service-connected, and the rating for his right knee condition is found to be appropriate.

The Board found that the Veteran's knee and elbow disabilities are not etiologically linked to his active duty service, including as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and arthritis, was granted an increased rating of 20 percent effective from February 17, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are not etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all claims have been dismissed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left knee arthritis is related to an in-service injury, and thus grants service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity prior to October 30, 2015 that they preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability and subluxation have been granted a 20 percent rating effective from December 6, 2016. The claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis is pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right hand, and right jaw disorders as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education and work history.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected left knee disorder has been denied as the evidence does not show that he is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment solely due to this disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including meniscal sprain and instability, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period of time.

The Veteran's left knee disability, chronic fatigue, and respiratory disorder are presumed to be related to his service in the Gulf War. The Board granted these claims based on presumptive service connection for undiagnosed illness.