Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left knee disorder is related to active duty service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left knee disability and thus, service connection for the condition cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's alcohol abuse disorder with history of alcoholism is due to his voluntary use of alcohol, and therefore not a disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his bilateral knee strain is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and opinion. The examiner must determine if the condition began in service, was caused by service, or is otherwise related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, right knee disability, and seborrheic dermatitis. The Veteran's claims on the issues of entitlement to service connection for a right wrist disability and numbness and tingling of the right arm have been withdrawn.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left knee was not incurred or aggravated by military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative changes of the medial/lateral meniscus have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a rating of 70 percent effective prior to April 7, 2015, based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms including nightmares, intrusive thoughts, impaired impulse control, memory impairment, hallucinations, and thoughts of suicide. The ratings for the right and left knee conditions remain denied.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability did not cause or contribute substantially to his death due to pulmonary embolisms. The private medical facility was held responsible for failing to administer anticoagulation, which led to the Veteran's death. As a result, the claim for service connection for the cause of death and nonservice-connected death pension benefits were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification of opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities, as well as consideration of additional medical literature provided by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee and left foot disabilities, including DJD, plantar fasciitis, and a calcaneal spur, to include as secondary to pes planus due to inadequate opinion regarding aggravation.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy and spondylolisthesis, as well as degenerative arthritis of both knees. The Veteran's left inguinal hernia is also service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO assigned non-compensable disability ratings for bilateral wrist tendonitis and left elbow tendonitis, effective April 21, 2010.

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

The Veteran's left quadriceps muscle disability, hemorrhoids, and left knee scar have been rated based on the severity of their symptoms and functional impairment. The initial rating for each condition has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the remand directives with respect to the claims for left shoulder and right knee disorders were not substantially complied with due to deficiencies in the VA compensation examination opinions and rationales. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's knee braces, which are service-connected, cause wear and tear to his clothing. The Board found in favor of the Veteran due to the lack of specific medical evidence against this claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings, as well as an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection.