Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for a right knee disability, service connection for a low back disability, a left hip disability, a right hip disability, a left foot disability, a right foot disability, bladder cancer, and PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the bilateral thumb disability claim and denied the claims for service connection for an eye disorder, a bilateral knee injury, vertigo with cerebellar gait (secondary to tinnitus), and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran died as a result of complications from a hip fracture, which was caused by a fall. The Board finds that the fall was related to his service-connected right knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right patella, chondromalacia and entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder, including as secondary to a right knee disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, left leg pain, and right shin/leg pain. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee injury or disease in service and concluded that the Veteran's current right knee condition is not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran is entitled to SMC at the highest level due to his need for aid and attendance, including help with daily activities such as bathing, feeding, dressing, and managing medications. His condition requires substantial care on a daily basis.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disorder and bilateral knee chondromalacia, finding that the Veteran experienced 'continuous' symptoms since service separation. The heart disorder is presumed to have been incurred in service due to a heart murmur noted at service separation. Bilateral knee chondromalacia is also presumed as it has been diagnosed and there are continuous post-service symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis, left knee pain, and left ankle pain are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity below the knee amputations are due to his service-connected ischemic heart disease, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The case is also remanded for further action on benefits related to specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a right knee meniscus tear or low back disability, as there is no medical evidence of record supporting these claims. The claim for right knee meniscus tear secondary to ACL repair residuals was denied due to lack of current diagnosis and no causal relationship established. For the low back disability, the Board found that while the Veteran has complained of pain since service, there is no objective evidence of an underlying condition or injury related to his in-service accident.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal as he did not file a timely substantive appeal within the required time frame.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee arthritis is not related to his in-service left knee injury, and therefore service connection for a left knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left foot and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling new examinations, and addressing functional limitations during flare-ups.

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased rating for his right knee arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during active duty and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology. The examiner opined that the current right knee condition is less likely caused by or aggravated by his service-connected hip disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left shoulder disorder, as well as his claims for increased evaluations of multiple shell fragment wound scars on various parts of the body, were granted. The effective date is February 24, 2000.