Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current respiratory disorder is related to his service.

The Board denied service connection for left hip and left knee disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence showing current disability, continuity of symptomatology since service, or nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum schedular percentage standards for a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability.

The Board has vacated its January 12, 2010 decision denying service connection for a right knee disability due to incomplete consideration of evidence. The Veteran's representative contends that a June 2009 medical statement from Dr. S.L.B. should have been considered when the Board denied his claim.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension and granted a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The right knee disorder claim is pending as it relates to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis and post-operative residuals of a right ankle fracture were denied. The rating for surgical scar post-operative residuals of a right ankle fracture was granted to 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for his left knee disability was granted, with the highest possible rating of 10 percent assigned. Separate ratings were also granted for moderate instability and degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis, right knee was granted but assigned a noncompensable evaluation. The claim is now remanded for additional development including another VA examination to assess the current severity of the disability.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a disability rating under VA compensation standards.,For his low back disorder, the evidence shows that he has forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine between 60 degrees and 85 degrees; or combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees but not more than 235 degrees. There is no evidence of muscle spasm, guarding, localized tenderness, ankylosis, or additional functional impairment due to repetitive use.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a dental disability, bilateral ankle disability, left shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, facial rash, and left leg disability, were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease that resulted in current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder and a back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for right shoulder and right knee disorders to the RO for further development. The Veteran's conditions are being considered secondary to his already service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected mitral valve prolapse and left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran is also granted an increased rating for his left shoulder calcific tendonitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disability did not worsen during service, and thus cannot be granted service connection.

The Veteran's chronic knee disorder is not service-connected, but he was granted service connection for his oral disorder due to residuals of teeth extraction. The decision on the other issues remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee disability was initially granted service connection with a 10 percent evaluation effective September 11, 2009. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating prior to this date.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left knee disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining a VA medical opinion and scheduling the Veteran for an examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left and right knee disorders did not originate in service or until years thereafter, and are not otherwise related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.