Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA pension examination to determine the nature, extent and severity of all disabilities found to be present. The RO should assign a rating for each of the Veteran's disabilities based on this information.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, effective November 23, 2006. The Board has granted separate evaluations for painful limitation of flexion and recurrent lateral instability.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current bilateral hip, knee, or ankle condition and finds that the Veteran's lower extremity pain is not related to her service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the left foot and knee were not incurred or aggravated during active service, and its incurrence or aggravation during service may not be presumed. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran timely filed a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) with the June 21, 2006 rating decision which granted a temporary evaluation of 100 percent for convalescence from left knee surgery from May 9, 2006 to July 31, 2006 and otherwise continued an evaluation of 10 percent for a left knee disability. The Veteran's claim regarding the evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for bilateral spondylolysis L5 is still pending.

The Veteran's low back disability and arthritis of the knees are not service-connected, and his combined rating does not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have a left knee disorder, including arthritis, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and whether they are related to service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a statement of the case on certain issues. The appeal will be remanded to the RO/AMC for these actions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and is dismissed.

The Board found against the appellant's claims for service connection for Alzheimer's disease, narcolepsy with cataplexy, and bilateral knee disability. The appellant did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disability during the Veteran's first period of active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The heart condition and depression secondary to knee disabilities are not addressed as the appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his scar of the right foot and secondary service connection for a right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for moderate instability of the right knee.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and initial compensable ratings for laceration scars on the dorsal area of the left hand, third and fourth fingers, and right hand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is related to his active duty service and grants his claim for service connection.