Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's combined evaluation for service-connected disabilities was 50 percent prior to September 11, 2003. He did not meet the schedular threshold for a TDIU due to his combined rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for DJD of all joints, finding that his current DJD is not related to his active service and is more likely due to rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, residuals of spine injury, bilateral arm tingling to fingertips, or left leg/knee disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and right knee meniscectomy residuals, but finds that there is no evidence to support these conditions being related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and left hip internal derangement, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by his time in military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and requesting that the Veteran provide more information regarding his claims.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current left leg conditions are related to his military service, including as due to Persian Gulf War service. The VA examiners have provided opinions against the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the current right knee disability is related to service or secondary to the service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports her current psychiatric disabilities, which are likely related to in-service stressors and domestic abuse.

The Veteran's right hip condition was not incurred in service, and his current right knee and tailbone conditions are pending further review.

The Veteran's right knee condition, to include arthritis, was incurred in service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a left knee condition, low back condition and asthma have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders as secondary to her service-connected left knee disability are being reopened. The Board is requesting additional medical opinions and records in order to properly assess the relationship between these conditions and her service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and awarded a 100 percent evaluation for the Veteran's depressive disorder. The decision also addressed an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected L5-S1 degenerative disc disease with spondylosis and whether any claimed hip, knee, or foot disorders are secondary to this condition. The AOJ should also obtain relevant private medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and determining his service connection for conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent effective October 3, 2008. His right knee disability and his residuals of excision of the right radial head with traumatic arthritis are both rated at 20 percent each.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for arthritis of both knees, which he claims are related to his military service. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which included a total knee replacement in June 2006, is currently rated at 30 percent. The appeal for increased ratings and SMC was granted.