Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted service connection. The issues of left knee, low back, migraine headaches, and sinus disabilities are still pending.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to adenocarcinoma of the colon, which is not service-connected. The Board found that none of his service-connected conditions caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability did not show improvement sufficient to warrant a reduction from 40% to 10%. The RO proposed and reduced the rating, but the Veteran disagreed. The Board restored the original 40% rating.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the appellant's claims, including preparation of a Statement of the Case for the issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating for atopic dermatitis, keratosis pilaris. The AMC should contact the appellant to determine which issues she wishes to appeal and schedule VA examinations based on her clarification.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and right knee disability were evaluated, but the appeal was denied as there is no indication of service connection for cervical spine or TDIU issues. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome was rated at 30 percent for the dominant hand and 20 percent for the non-dominant hand, while his right knee disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left knee disability, right knee disability, and hypertension have been denied. The RO found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The VA determined that the appellant's right knee disability, post-total knee arthroplasty, is currently rated at 30 percent disabling and has not warranted a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee condition. After considering all available evidence, including VA examination reports and private medical records, the Board finds that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's claim as his current left knee condition is at least as likely as not caused by or related to his service-connected residuals of a laceration of the anterior left thigh.

The Board found that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the right knee is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his left knee disability and its impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability and right knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of head, neck, shoulder, back, hip, knee, or tremor disorders related to his military service, including a claimed motorcycle accident. As such, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and hip disorders were not incurred or aggravated during service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of all available evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected right knee disability is not manifested by frequent episodes of locking, pain and effusion into the joint or malunion of the tibia or fibula resulting in impairment to the right knee. The appellant's service-connected right knee disability is manifested by lateral instability, chondromalacia, general pain and effusion into the joint, and degenerative joint disease with limited extension.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records from SSA.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, chronic lumbar strain with scoliosis at 10 percent for each knee, and the ratings are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and DJD of the right knee, as well as his service connection claims. The Veteran was not granted any new evidence to reopen his claim for a back disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and VA treatment records.