Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder, including osteoarthritis of the right knee, was incurred in and caused by his military service.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been granted service connection, with initial noncompensable ratings prior to December 21, 2015, and increased to 10 percent thereafter.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee disability, effective from February 2, 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating prior to April 9, 2010, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for his service-connected left knee osteoarthritic changes with history of lateral collateral strain.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also found that these conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the reduction from a 10 percent evaluation to zero percent for the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis status post-surgical repair, based on limitation of extension, effective April 1, 2011, was improper and restored the 10 percent evaluation.

The Board granted an effective date of June 19, 2008 for the award of SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim was pending since December 17, 2001.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated records and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of various claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and meniscectomy, has been rated at 10 percent since the appeal period began. The rating is for limitation of motion due to DJD.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-operative medial meniscectomy with degenerative changes, has been rated at 10 percent since November 25, 2008. The current examination shows flexion limited to 90 degrees and extension limited to 5 degrees.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing due to his request for one.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his left knee disorder and Crohn's disease.

The Veteran's multiple non-service-connected disabilities, including hernias with progression to an intestinal fistula and arthritis of multiple joints, render her helpless or so nearly helpless that she requires the regular aid and attendance of another person for special monthly pension purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination, as well as a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The TDIU claim has also been raised.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for treatment provided by the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in May 2007 was denied due to lack of additional disability caused by VA care, and his right knee injury claim is pending.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance in 2013 was denied as the items claimed did not qualify under VA regulations. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information from a VA examiner or designee of the Undersecretary for Health.

The Veteran's bilateral knee, wrist (CTS), and gastrointestinal disorders are found to be related to service. The Board grants these claims.