Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than February 11, 2011 for the grant of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is denied. The Veteran withdrew his prior claim for this benefit in March 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee scar and degenerative joint disease were denied as the evidence did not show any disabling effects or limitations of function that would warrant a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is not related to his active service or a period of ACDUTRA, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations of record are inadequate and requires a new examination to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's left knee disability. The case is also remanded for obtaining relevant treatment records.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 10, 2009 for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability. The claimant contends that this is also the appropriate effective date for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hip disability (secondary to a right knee disability), and nerve and muscle damage of the bilateral hands and arms. The evidence did not establish current diagnoses or show that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no medical evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left knee and left hip disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee, bilateral shoulder, and left knee disabilities are granted. The lumbar spine disability claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have all been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,There is no indication that any exposure basis (e.g., burn pit, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune) played a role in the development of any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder was not caused by or related to active duty service and does not have a service-connected disability that required hospital treatment or observation. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on whether obesity is as likely as not caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities and if so, whether it causes or aggravates a bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected back, knee, and ankle disabilities that result in difficulty with activities of daily living such as dressing, grooming, preparing meals, and medication management.

The Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to service, and the Board finds that it was not incurred or aggravated therein.

The Board found no evidence of a current left knee disability related to service, and the Veteran's statements were not consistent with the contemporaneous medical evidence. The right knee disability claim was denied as secondary to a non-service-connected condition.,There is no evidence of a current right knee disability in service or for many years thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is less likely related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and addressing whether service connection can be granted based on direct evidence or secondary effects of another condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis and bilateral knee conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is not due to any incident in service or to a service-connected disability, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including TBI, headaches, sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, tremors of the hands, a mid-and-low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral ankle disorders have been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of TBI or other claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and addressing the issues of increased ratings for his service-connected conditions, TDIU, and service connection.