Knee decisions — 2009

The Board has granted service connection for squamous cell carcinoma and has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee condition. The decision is based on evidence that supports these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further investigation.

The Veteran's left leg above the knee amputation was not incurred as a result of VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, or examination. The Board denied entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and TDIU due to lack of service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee osteoarthritis is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes meniscectomy and reconstructive surgery residuals with arthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is the proximal cause of his degenerative joint disease, right knee. The Board grants service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between her current disabilities and active military service.

The Veteran's arthritis of the knees is found to be incurred in service, and his other claims are denied.

The Veteran's loss of use of his lower extremities is due to service-connected disabilities, but the evidence does not show that this loss meets the criteria for permanent and total service-connected disability resulting in the loss or loss of use of both feet.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's jaw pain is service-connected, but his low back, knee, shoulder, and hepatitis B disabilities are not.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be examined by VA to determine if her bilateral knee disorder preexisted service and, if so, whether it was aggravated during service. The claim will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Veteran's service-connected heart disorder and left knee dislocation have been granted, but the ratings for both conditions are at their maximum levels.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with a separate rating for the scar and a separate rating for degenerative arthritis. The Board has determined that these ratings are appropriate.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's left knee disability is manifested by compensable limitation of motion, and therefore, his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including inpatient records from Fort Ord and VA Medical Center records. The Veteran will also undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his right little toe disability and left knee Baker's cyst.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred during service and are not otherwise related to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine, right hip, left knee patellofemoral syndrome and chondromalacia, and status post right knee arthroscopy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, including degenerative changes and status post partial left knee replacement, is causally related to injuries sustained in service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.