Knee decisions — 2010

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for the Veteran's service-connected left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear and arthritis, finding that higher or separate ratings were not warranted. The claim for a TDIU rating is remanded due to the possibility of additional evidence showing the Veteran's inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, residuals of a right ankle strain, and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service.

The Board found that a chronic left knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate consideration of DeLuca and the need for a VA examination regarding his left knee disability, including any relationship between his service-connected left knee strain and a recent meniscal tear.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, or any link to his military service.

The Board found no current disability of the right shoulder, right elbow, left elbow, right hip, or right knee and thus denied service connection for these disorders.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of hepatitis. However, after reviewing all available evidence, including VA treatment records, private medical records, and the Veteran's statements, the Board finds that none of the conditions claimed are related to active service or can be presumed due to exposure to certain hazards. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and confirming the Veteran's periods of active service. The Veteran is also to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his current left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disability. The VA has not located all of the Veteran's medical records from 1975 to the present, and these records are needed to make an informed decision on his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability alone renders him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by arthritis and mild limitation of motion with pain, does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent evaluation. The claim for service connection for fibromyalgia is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), headaches (residuals of head injury), low back disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total and permanent disability rating for pension purposes in July 1991, finding that his leg, knee, ankle, and back pain were not of sufficient severity to prevent him from engaging in a substantially gainful occupation. The Veteran argues that he was entitled to such a rating due to an automobile accident and gunshot wound.

The Board found no evidence of a right or left knee and leg condition in service, and the current conditions are not shown to be related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The VA determined that the appellant's left knee disability, rated at 10 percent, does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder did not manifest during service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the left knee, lumbar spine, cervical spine, and hands. The claim for service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder is denied.