Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are not service-connected. The evidence does not establish a direct link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance is denied as he does not meet the criteria of being helpless or so nearly helpless that he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) of the neck, back, fingers, knees and ankles are found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with separate ratings for instability and cartilage dislocation where applicable. The RO has granted the requested increased ratings.

The Veteran's bilateral knee DJD is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. Separate ratings of 10 percent each are granted for instability and locking, joint pain, and effusion.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an initial compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction and service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his right knee disability and left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current disabilities and service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right arm, knee, and hip disorders are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran has a current right knee disability and whether any such disability is related to service or secondary to her service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 18, 2010.

The Veteran's low back disability is not manifested by at least unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes that required bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician having a total duration of at least six weeks during the past twelve months. The claim for increased rating for right knee disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to untimely filing of the substantive appeal.

The Board denied reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and a left knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence. The heart disability claim was not reopened as there was no new and material evidence received. The anemia claim was also not reopened.

The Veteran's right knee DJD status-post arthroscopy with surgical scars is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee and neck disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the first post-service year. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were caused by exposure to cold temperatures during service.

The Board denied both claims of service connection for a left and right knee disability, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the left knee claim and that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his active military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since April 28, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after any additional notification or development is completed.