Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and the need for further development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and right ankle disabilities are not related to his service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected residuals of a left knee injury, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examinations and further development is required.

The Board denied service connection for low back and right knee disabilities, as well as the reopening of claims for left knee and ventral hernia. The Veteran's current conditions are not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic lumbosacral strain as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The only competent opinion addressing these issues is against the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and chondromalacia patella of the left knee are being remanded. His PTSD claim is also being remanded, but his TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability and Type II diabetes were denied by the RO. The specific issues addressed included an increase in rating for a left knee condition, another for traumatic arthropathy associated with that condition, and one for Type II diabetes.

The Veteran does not have confirmed current knee disabilities that can be linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, which is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address the etiology of his claimed right ring finger disorder, left knee disorder, pulmonary embolism, and perforation of the right tympanic membrane. The issues on appeal include service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and left knee instability were granted, with a current rating of 20 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee disability, bilateral trench foot, viral hepatitis, dental disorder (grinding teeth), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right arm lipoma, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and left big toenail condition. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining workers' compensation records and scheduling a hearing before a Decision Review Officer.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been evaluated based on their current symptoms, which do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted. For the time period prior to December 21, 2009, a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left knee injury was granted. After December 21, 2009, a 10 percent rating was granted for residuals of a left knee injury. Service connection was established for a right knee disability and denied for a right arm disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant an initial compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and his DIC and accrued benefits claims were denied. The claim to reopen the left hip condition secondary to the left knee disability was also denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis of the left knee, and right shoulder disability. The claim for arthritis of the right knee was also denied as secondary to the left knee condition. No new evidence reopened any previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder. However, the Veteran's claims for left knee and low back disorders due to the right knee disorder were denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions are related to military service.