Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right leg injury was reopened. His claim for asbestosis was denied. The Board found that his left shoulder disorder, post-acromioplasty, warranted a 30% evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral flatfoot disability and assigned a 10 percent rating, effective from the date of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The issues of service connection, evaluation for hearing loss, and initial evaluations for cholesteatomas are all inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to determine the current severity of the appellant's right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right foot disorder, left foot disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The rating assigned is 20 percent effective from February 9, 2009.

The Board has determined that further examination and medical opinion are needed to resolve the claims for service connection due to in-service complaints of right knee and back pain, as well as post-service findings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, an initial rating higher than 10 percent for her low back disability, and an initial compensable rating for her bilateral shin splints.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating prior to May 27, 2008, for his service-connected left knee disability was granted. The Veteran also had his claim for avascular necrosis as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability reopened.

The Veteran's service-connected total right knee replacement, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, and osteoarthritis of the left knee are currently rated at 40%, 20%, and 10% respectively. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and left knee disability, finding no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria. The claim for PTSD was not addressed as it was accepted as a new issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, with depression, has been granted. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed in the Remand portion of this decision.

The VA determined that there is no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's right knee/leg condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that a right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hip disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor was found to have onset during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The right elbow, left knee, and right knee disorders are also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for residuals of meniscectomy of the left knee prior to March 6, 2007 was denied. The claimant is not entitled to an increased rating as his condition does not meet the criteria for more than severe subluxation or lateral instability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, claimed as a right shoulder disorder, and a left knee disorder are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability has been granted, and the appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left ankle condition is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and left knee conditions are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them from appeal.