Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran is found to require regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which cause him to be in need of assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education and occupational experience.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, lung disorder, headaches, bilateral knee disorder (arthritis), fatigue, dizziness, and muscle aches. The Board found that these conditions are not etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left and right knee strains due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee disorder and a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a temporary total rating based on need for convalescence following his June 2010 ACL repair surgery and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The appeal is currently pending due to remand orders.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, as there is no clear and convincing evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed bilateral knee disabilities are not related to her active military service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether any diagnosed right knee disorder is caused by or aggravated by left knee arthritis.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis, was evaluated at a 20 percent rating prior to November 4, 2015.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by dislocation of semilunar cartilage and instability, has been rated at 20 percent since January 18, 2011. A separate 10 percent rating for mild instability is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of right knee, right ankle, bilateral foot, skin and allergy disabilities is dismissed as these conditions have already been granted for teeth number 23 and 24 trauma residuals for dental treatment purposes only.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment is denied as he does not meet the criteria for assistance due to his service-connected disabilities resulting in permanent loss of use of one or both feet.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease was incurred in service and the Board finds it is connected to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral degenerative joint disease.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service, and is therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder and right knee disabilities are not related to service or any service-connected condition, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her low back, left knee, and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities. The claim to reopen service connection for hypoglycemia was also denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for multiple knee, toe, elbow, and shoulder disorders. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions provided by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his knee disabilities and determine if any additional functional loss due to pain or other factors should be considered.