Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes arthritis and a history of meniscal tear with removal of cartilage, is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5259. The Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining clarifying opinions from VA examiners regarding the issues of compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for right and left knee disabilities. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any current knee disability, as well as whether any pre-existing knee condition was aggravated by his active duty in 2003-2004.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a chronic skin disorder in service or until decades after service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of a bilateral hip or knee disability and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran is granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for arthritis of the left knee, prior to June 1, 2006, due to noncompensable limitation of motion. The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability does not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings under other applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's right knee disability to his military service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and cervical spine disorder were not incurred or aggravated during active military service, nor are they related to injury sustained while serving in the National Guard. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining vocational rehabilitation records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing Social Security Administration (SSA) records and other relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability is granted, with a separate rating of 10 percent assigned for slight instability. The claim for TDIU based on the service-connected right knee disability is also granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right knee injury and a fungal infection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's current left knee and low back disabilities are found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for various chronic conditions, including shoulder, cervical spine, lumbar spine, knee, and foot disorders. The decision was based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of service connection for bilateral knee disorders, bilateral hip disorders, and a spine disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for arthritis of the left knee was granted, with a 10 percent disability rating assigned.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, but finds that his arthritis of the knees and back was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was not incurred in or aggravated by her service-connected left knee disability and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities are related to his service-connected left ankle injury, which occurred during active duty in July 2004. As such, these conditions have been granted as secondary to a service-connected condition.