Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral leg/knee disability and low back disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not etiologically related to his period of active service or due to his service-connected pes planus.,Service connection was granted for pes planus in November 1973. The Veteran is currently rated at 50% for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, but denied his claim for a compensable rating for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist. The decision is based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and reopening of a previously denied claim were all denied as the current evaluations are deemed adequate.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and his representative, thus dismissing the case.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including syncope, depression, lumbar spine strain, left knee disability, and frequent falls. The issue of eligibility for specially adapted housing was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine the appropriate disability rating for his service-connected Reiter's syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee strain and TMJ dysfunction are related to his service, granting his claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from October 6 to October 9, 2009 at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center were for emergency treatment due to a significant injury and could not be safely transferred to a VA facility until his condition stabilized on October 9, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right knee patellar tendonitis was manifested by pain, swelling, stiffness, tenderness, soreness, fatigue, and crepitus. The disability resulted in limitation of flexion to 90 degrees and functional impairment or limitation of certain daily activities and motions. As such, the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent were not met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in an impairment of her ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests. Therefore, she does not have an employment handicap for vocational rehabilitation purposes.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left knee, right knee, or left leg disability proximate to the appeal period. The Veteran's claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee have been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the submission of any relevant medical records. The issues on appeal are whether he should receive a higher rating for his left inguinal hernia surgery scar, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service onset. Service connection was also granted for bilateral hearing loss, but only as a result of combat exposure rather than an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left and right knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that either condition warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's current knee disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a current VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability, as the prior examination was conducted nearly three years ago.

The Veteran's Raynaud's phenomenon, breast masses (fibrocystic breast disease), and bilateral knee disabilities have been established as service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is related to his period of service or caused by or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a left ankle fracture.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.