Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, and therefore denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to the Veteran's left knee and ankle disabilities, including a need for an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her right knee condition and associated left knee replacement, have prevented her from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and occupational experience prior to September 1, 2010.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is rated at 10 percent since July 15, 2010. The Veteran's left knee arthritis is also rated at 10 percent since July 15, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's myofascial pain syndrome and arch disability were not related to his service-connected disabilities, including his right ankle condition. The conditions are considered secondary to these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate compliance with previous remands and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are at least as likely as not etiologically related to his active service. The Board finds that the evidence for and against the claim is at least in equipoise, and therefore, entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition. However, the claim remains denied as there is no medical evidence establishing a nexus between the current left knee meniscus tear and service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is proximately due to his service-connected left ankle disability, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claim of service connection for a right knee disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his previously denied claim. The Board also found that the appellant did not have a pre-existing condition in his right knee prior to his period of active duty training (ACDUTRA), and thus could not establish aggravation during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and granted it, finding that there is at least as likely as not that his current osteoarthritis of the right knee is related to his active service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded for further examination and determination of whether it pre-existed service or was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the nature, cause, and effect of any mental health disorder the Veteran may have had at the time of his death.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided was inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his active military service. The AOJ should also attempt to obtain updated medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected right total knee replacement is currently rated at 30 percent effective August 1, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability, finding that it is not at least as likely as not related to his service-connected bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities from September 22, 2011, to March 3, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for himself and requires the regular aid and attendance of another person, resulting in a grant of SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle or left knee disability that is attributable to service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.