Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a left leg or knee condition, and a left foot or ankle condition are not supported by the evidence of record.

The case is REMANDED to the RO for additional development as requested.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed left knee degenerative arthritis is etiologically linked to his service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require regular assistance of another person, meeting the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining National Guard treatment records and VA/VA Medical Center treatment records. The Veteran's tinnitus is also to be examined by a VA examiner, as are his bilateral knee, hand, wrist, and shoulder disorders if they were incurred during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has determined that the Appellant did not sustain a collarbone fracture during active service, and his left knee disability and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not establish an association between any lightning strike incident during service and his current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at John Archbold Memorial Hospital on May 30, 2008 is denied because a VA facility was feasibly available to treat his right knee and ankle pain within five days.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a videoconference hearing. Service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar strain is related to his service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. However, the left knee disability and right knee disability are not found to be directly related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a missing medical opinion and additional development is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right hip disabilities, finding no evidence of a direct relationship to service or secondary to service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and right knee disabilities are not related to his period of service from January 5, 1998 through November 2, 2003. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during this time.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for the Veteran's residuals of shell fragment wounds to the left thigh, with involvement of Muscle Group XIII and XIV. The other issues were denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board finds that his current limitation of extension does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability and renal failure, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current symptoms are not linked to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and right knee, residuals status post pilon fracture with open reduction and retained hardware, right tibia, ankle, and a fracture of the left femur, render him physically helpless in performing activities of daily living or protecting himself from everyday hazards.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless that he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any current left knee disorder and whether it was caused by or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including anterior cruciate ligament tear and meniscal degeneration with tricompartmental joint disease, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his range of motion is within normal limits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, and left knee disability were denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions warranted higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased rating for a lumbar spine disability has been withdrawn. The claim of an earlier effective date for the right knee disability is dismissed as it constitutes a freestanding claim. The psychiatric disability does not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.