Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he is able to perform many of his daily activities independently. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, including total knee replacements, is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the current arthritis is not related to service.

The Board has ordered further development of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions. The issues include bilateral knee disability, upper back disability, hypertension, and PTSD.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for limitation of flexion and extension, with no higher ratings granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of limited flexion to 90 degrees and limited extension to 90 degrees.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine proper disability ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's combined disabilities did not result in the need for aid and attendance or rendered him housebound prior to January 1, 2012. Since January 1, 2012, he has been a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a grant of any benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is less likely than not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee and/or low back disabilities. The claim for service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to service-connected left knee and/or low back disabilities is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability did not manifest during service or until more than one year following his separation from service and is not otherwise related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from engaging in the mental and physical acts of employment prior to January 5, 2009.

The Board is unable to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, breathing problems, and vision problems due to service connection issues. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and low back disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and hip disabilities have been denied. The RO found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative joint disease (DJD) and reopened the claims of service connection for a left knee disability. The bilateral knees and feet are being remanded to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is service-connected, and as such, his claim for a right hip disorder secondary to this condition is also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his current right shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities.