Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues, need for a VA examination, and the pending issue of service connection for PTSD. The claims will be returned to the Board after issuance of the Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being necessary, including scheduling a VA examination and ensuring compliance with the VCAA.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from March 12, 2002. The right knee condition claim was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar disc disease and left knee internal derangement are being remanded due to the need for new medical examinations and development of evidence regarding a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's internal derangement of the left knee is currently rated at 20 percent, and his arthritis of the left knee warrants a separate 10 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability preexisted service and was not aggravated by active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the right leg disability, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development and consideration of his TDIU claim, which is inextricably intertwined with other issues raised in a June 2007 rating decision.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal on all issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability, hypertension, and headaches was reopened. Service connection was granted for the left knee disability with a rating of 10 percent effective from September 2005.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and providing VCAA notice regarding new and material evidence requirements and direct service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to service or secondary to his service connected left ankle disability, and thus denies the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing a compensation examination to assess the severity of his service-connected retropatellar pain syndrome of both knees.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back pain and right knee injury residuals due to a missed hearing, and because further development is needed including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's right hip disorder and back disorder are not service-connected as they are secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder. His claim for an increased rating for the right knee disorder was granted, but he is still seeking a compensable evaluation for his surgical scar and weakness of muscle group XIII.

The Veteran's left knee disorder was rated at 20 percent from December 22, 2006 to October 1, 2008 and at 30 percent since October 1, 2008.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for a left knee disorder, skin disorders (tinea corporis, venereal warts, hand warts, pseudofolliculitis), and a left wrist fracture. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability and gait abnormality, as it may be related to his active service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and a thorough review of his service-connected disabilities.