Knee decisions — 2018

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right fourth finger arthritis. The claim for service connection of his left knee condition is also granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his active military service, and therefore grants service connection for a right knee disability, including as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities pre-existed service and were not aggravated by service. As a result, the claims for service connection are denied.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination in determining whether the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his service-connected right foot disability, and for further development of the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a need for regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation. Additionally, the Veteran meets criteria for financial assistance to purchase an automobile with necessary adaptive equipment due to his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board denied service connection for sarcoidosis and found that an effective date of March 17, 2013 is warranted for the increased rating of 20% for a lateral meniscal tear of the left knee.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for left knee disability and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's right knee disability is not considered to have caused or aggravated his current left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's disability rating for residuals of a left knee injury was reduced from 10 percent to 0 percent. The Board has restored the 10 percent rating based on consistent and sustained improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, with separate ratings for limitation of motion and instability. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's left knee instability and limitation of motion prior to August 29, 2014 have been rated at the minimum compensable level. The current rating is based on her service-connected arthritis.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's rating for loss of right knee flexion from 20% to 10%, effective August 4, 2010 was not proper due to lack of improvement in his condition.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for the claimed conditions, including cervical spine degenerative joint disease, bilateral foot disability, bilateral knee injury, bilateral lower leg injury, and bilateral hand injury. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service injuries were not supported by medical evidence or treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination regarding his claimed bilateral hearing loss disability and bilateral knee disorders. The issues of service connection are on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of the lower extremities and automobile and adaptive equipment is denied as he does not meet the criteria for these benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of her service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues of increased ratings for Parkinson's disease and service connection for various knee and spine disorders have been dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's claims for service connection of a bilateral ankle disability and right eye disability are remanded.