Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for the Veteran's gunshot wound to the left thigh, including a total left knee arthroplasty, status post-revision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the right and left knees is not related to her active service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability, including as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence and a need for further medical opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral hip disorder are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected burn scar, right upper/lateral trunk and residual scars from other injuries are not rated higher than the current levels due to their nature.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right total knee replacement, bilateral hearing loss, and posttraumatic stress disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are not service-connected as they are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. His left total knee replacement is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable probability of substantiating the claim of service connection for right knee chondromalacia.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10% each, but the Board finds that they do not warrant a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for umbilical hernia and bilateral knee disorder, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The VA examiner found that the Veteran has limited range of motion, pain with use, and weakness in his left knee. However, the limitation of motion did not meet the criteria for a noncompensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5260 or 5261. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected scars, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee instability was first manifested during service and is not due to any in-service injury or disease. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA medical records and conducting further examinations or obtaining opinions as necessary.

The Veteran's appeal is about whether he is entitled to service connection for a left knee disorder, including as secondary to his already service-connected right knee disability. The claim requires further development due to the need for additional medical comment on whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability caused or aggravated his left knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosed disability of the right knee or right ankle, and thus service connection for these disabilities cannot be established.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders are not attributable to his military service, nor was arthritis diagnosed in the initial post-service year.