Knee decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation are being remanded due to the lack of a VA examination addressing her eligibility for these benefits. The examiner is requested to determine if her service-connected disabilities alone preclude her from ambulating without an aid.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's bunions and right knee disability were denied as service connection was not established, and the ratings for the right knee disability prior to March 30, 2021 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the pre-existing left knee disability and its aggravation by periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The Veteran's right knee disability is also considered in determining service connection.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees are proximately due to or aggravated by medications taken to treat her service-connected PTSD.,Entitlement to service connection for a reproductive disorder, specifically PCOS and partial hysterectomy, is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to in-service use of Depo Provera.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that these conditions do not render him unemployable or in need of SMC based on regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for service-connected disabilities prior to September 30, 2019 was denied as his service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination and new regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for cardiomegaly. The claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, a left thumb contusion, and a right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for arthritis and instability, with no higher ratings granted due to lack of additional range of motion limitations.

The Board has granted restoration of service connection for left knee instability and a left knee scar, finding that the severance was improper due to CUE.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee chondromalacia remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left knee disability and service connection for a right knee disability was denied. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10% for limitation of flexion, but not for extension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment since August 29, 2012. TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to service-connected disabilities, and the VA-prescribed medications did not result in an additional disability or death. The Board found that the medications prescribed for his service-connected conditions were not causally related to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to potential eligibility for SMC under certain criteria. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated in detail.

The Veteran's service-connected scarring of the abdomen, right ankle, and right knee is granted a 20% evaluation effective September 19, 2012. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability secondary to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's skin condition and left knee disability, as well as whether any current conditions are related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.