Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing. The claims related to increased rating for right knee disability and service connection for right hip disorder are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing at the appropriate RO, in accordance with applicable procedures. The Veteran's request for another hearing before a Veterans Law Judge via videoconference is pending.

The Veteran withdrew his increased rating claim for a left knee disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee and right shoulder are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a right knee disability or left knee disability, including as secondary to a right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and is not shown to be causally related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim as he is deceased.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by residuals of a surgical repair of a lateral meniscus tear, did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent since September 2, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the retrieval of relevant VA treatment records. The issues of service connection for right knee and left ankle disorders, as well as increased evaluations for depression, bilateral pes planus, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability are addressed.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for right knee disability status post surgery with degenerative joint disease was denied. A separate rating for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability is warranted effective October 27, 2009.

The Board found that there is no objective medical evidence of instability in the Veteran's knees, and thus denied his claims for increased ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of hands and arms do not result in loss of use.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing on his claim of entitlement to an initial rating greater than 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities require additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and assigned an initial rating of 20 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's current right knee osteoarthritis is related to his in-service knee problems, while the diabetes mellitus remains at its currently assigned 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, back condition, right knee condition, and sinus problems were denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service stressors or current disabilities related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant records are obtained and reviewed, including the Veteran's STRs and VA treatment records. The claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are related to his service-connected right ankle disability, warranting a grant of service connection.