Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service is not considered 'veteran' status for VA home loan benefits due to lack of qualifying service, and he does not meet the requirements for eligibility for VA home loan benefits.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred from November 20, 2011 to November 26, 2011 was denied as he did not meet the legal criteria for payment under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder as no new and material evidence was received.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and hypertension. The decision also dismissed his claim for an increased rating for right knee instability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee arthroplasty is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and development to determine if he requires regular aid and attendance or is housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and cartilage removal, has been rated at 10 percent since June 2009. The initial compensable rating for the scars was granted in December 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's left knee disability and its relationship to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) and bilateral knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of right and left knee fractures, as well as TBI and whiplash trauma (neck disability), are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition in service or within one year post-service. The VA examiner opined that the current conditions are more likely related to the Veteran's prior injury before service rather than any service-related factors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was received within one year of separation from active duty and the Board finds that he had a left knee disability at that time. Therefore, the effective date for the award of service connection is set to July 19, 1999.

The Veteran's right knee disability is service-connected and he has been granted a 20 percent rating. The RO also assigned separate 20 percent ratings for his right shoulder disability effective July 15, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, back disorder, and right knee disorder. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's right knee ACL repair residuals are rated at 20 percent, effective June 18, 2008. The Board found that the criteria for a disability rating of 20 percent were met due to frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint.

The Board found that the Veteran did not incur a chronic left knee disorder in service or as a result of his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in December 2010 is inadequate and a new VA examination should be conducted to address whether the Veteran's back disability, right knee disability, and right hip disability were caused or aggravated by his service-connected foot disability.