Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, to include DJD, are etiologically related to active service. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is found to be related to his military service and he has been granted a rating of 10% for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine, migraines, and other conditions, have rendered him in need of aid and attendance. He is therefore granted special monthly compensation based on a demonstrated need for such assistance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis is caused by her service-connected bilateral pes planus and grants service connection for this condition as secondary to her service-connected disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his back and lower extremity conditions, cause him to be in need of regular aid and attendance. As such, the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's gunshot wound residuals of the head, face, and neck. The Veteran also has other disabilities that preclude locomotion without the aid of a wheelchair or similar device.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and examination to clarify the nature of his claimed conditions, their likely etiology, and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, effective January 2, 2011. The appellant is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate prior to May [REDACTED], 2011.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to the Veteran's request and the need to ensure full compliance with due process requirements.

The Veteran's mood disorder is found to be proximately due to or the result of service-connected disease or injury, and thus granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the Veteran's right hip bursitis with knee pain and to determine if there is any additional loss of motion/functional loss on repetitive motion and during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right knee disability, to include as secondary to the service-connected left knee arthritis, has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to inadequate examination in the previous VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence showing that the current right knee disability had its onset in or was otherwise related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5261, which pertains to limitation of motion. The Board found that the evidence did not show any additional functional loss due to flare-ups, fatigability, incoordination, or pain on movements.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to her service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired cardiac condition and entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for a left knee disability are pending.

The Veteran is seeking an increased disability rating for his service-connected right knee DJD. The Board has determined that further development, including a new VA examination and review of the claims file, is necessary before this claim can be adjudicated.