Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim of service connection for back pain is being remanded.,The Veteran's request to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for right medial meniscectomy, posterior tear, is being remanded.

The Veteran's uncontrolled bowel movements, trouble feeding himself, and need for assistance maintaining his own basic hygiene show that he is factually in need of regular aid and attendance of at least one other person. Therefore, the claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids was granted with a rating of 10 percent effective February 10, 2012. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative joint disease, arthritis in the left foot, osteoarthritis in the right knee, osteoarthritis in the left knee, osteoarthritis in the right hip, and osteoarthritis in the left hip. The decision was based on a finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee and right wrist disabilities due to insufficient reasoning in the previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded both claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee strain and degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine. The claims will be further evaluated after additional development.

The reduction in the Veteran’s compression fracture of the first lumbar vertebra rating from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper and the appeal is denied.,The rating reduction for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome from 10 percent to noncompensable effective April 1, 2015, was not proper and is restored, effective from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine strain is reopened, and the issue of whether his current degenerative arthritis with strain of lumbar spine is secondary to his right knee patellofemoral arthritis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for left knee degenerative joint disease and dental disorder for treatment purposes are granted. The claims for service connection for acute sinus infections, tuberculosis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are denied. The issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for unequal leg length as secondary to his service-connected left hip replacement and right knee replacement.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and back disabilities as the evidence did not show they were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee strain and degenerative joint disease of the right knee have been denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot condition, neck sprain, thoracic sprain, and bilateral knee condition. The claims for these conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective November 7, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not show he was unable to work prior to this date due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal of his depressive disorder claim was dismissed due to withdrawal. The left knee injury claim has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's appeals for various conditions were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disorder has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal on the record at the August 2017 Board hearing. The issue of compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 for postoperative meniscectomy and arthritis of right knee is remanded due to additional development being necessary.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left hand arthritis, and left knee arthritis as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Veteran's contentions were not supported by medical evidence.