Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities, thus denying these claims.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for right knee strain and right ankle sprain are being remanded due to the need for updated examinations and additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot and knee disabilities are not related to his service, including any exposure to cold weather. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability has not been manifested by symptomatology more nearly approximating malunion of the tibia and fibula with marked knee disability, thus the claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent is denied. Similarly, the right knee disability has not been manifested by symptomatology more nearly approximating limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees, thus the claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent is also denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examination reports are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has low back and knee disabilities and whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran has been granted entitlement to specially adapted housing due to permanent and total service-connected disabilities that result in the loss of use of both lower extremities. The claim for a special home adaptation grant is denied as it is rendered moot by the grant of specially adapted housing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee arthritis is not etiologically related to his active service, and thus, denies the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, cervical spine strain, bilateral knee strain, and bilateral foot strain are not related to his service.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease that could have led to these current conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury, neck disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and left knee injury. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions that can be traced back to service.

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

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a chronic right knee disability, radiculopathy or neuropathy. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral knee condition was aggravated by active service and granted service connection for this disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and right knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service, with aggravation of the right knee condition due to favoring the left knee post-surgery.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service. The VA medical opinions indicate that obesity and diabetes mellitus, rather than any in-service injury or exposure, have contributed to the development of his osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee, hand, and back disabilities are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient records and ensuring the duty to assist has been satisfied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examination of his bilateral knee disabilities. The effective date issue is also pending.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's recurrent left leg thrombosis and her service-connected left leg disabilities. The appeal is currently in remanded status.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for right knee disability and left knee disability, as the Veteran's contentions are essentially reiterating what was said at the time of the February 2003 decision.