Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee strain, finding that it is related to his in-service paratrooper duties. The Veteran's other orthopedic disabilities were also found to be due to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee tricompartmental degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine disability (DDD, degenerative spondylolisthesis, IVDS, arachnoiditis of the cauda equina, and multilevel disc bulging with neural foraminal narrowing), and cervical spine disability (cervical myelopathy, status post C4-5, C5-6 discectomy and fusion, and multilevel degenerative and discogenic disease with neural foraminal narrowing and spinal canal narrowing) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.,The Board found that there is a causal relationship between the Veteran’s service-connected right knee disability and his thoracolumbar spine disability (DDD, degenerative spondylolisthesis, IVDS, arachnoiditis of the cauda equina, and multilevel disc bulging with neural foraminal narrowing) and cervical spine disability (cervical myelopathy, status post C4-5, C5-6 discectomy and fusion, and multilevel degenerative and discogenic disease with neural foraminal narrowing and spinal canal narrowing).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities, particularly concerning the timing and nature of injuries. The decision will be reconsidered after further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee and ankle disorders, as well as a lumbar spine disorder. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records, including those from the San Juan VAMC, and schedule an examination by an appropriate clinician to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a left knee condition and heart condition have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability was incurred during his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied because his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for SMC.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of secondary service connection for low back disability and left knee and leg disability. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims and an increased rating claim for left knee arthritis, as well as a TDIU claim due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his partial knee replacement surgery, is rated at a minimum of 30 percent effective August 1, 2013.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, as well as the current severity of his right knee disability. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and right knee disability due to insufficient development of evidence, including missing service treatment records and lack of a definitive opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine, right ankle, left shoulder, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, left ankle, ingrown toenail, and headaches. The claims were reopened due to new evidence related to a left shoulder disability.

The Board denied a temporary 100% evaluation for left knee surgical convalescence beyond February 28, 2014. A rating of 20% was granted for the painful and unstable left knee scar. The issue of a rating in excess of 10% for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran and his representative withdrew their appeals for the issues of service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, essential hypertension, bilateral renal cysts, prostate disability, high cholesterol, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection and increased ratings are inextricably intertwined with other issues, including TDIU. The Veteran's depression is remanded for a new opinion on causation and aggravation. His cervical and lumbar spine conditions, bilateral knee disabilities, and OSA are also remanded for additional examinations to determine etiology and severity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and sciatic nerve injury, finding that there is no current disability to support these claims.

The Board has denied service connection for a right eye disability and remanded the claims of increased ratings for knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a respiratory disorder has been granted. The claims for left hip, right hip, bilateral knee, and right leg disorders have all been denied.