Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder, including as secondary to a service-connected right knee disorder, was incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and requests for a personal hearing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disability clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his entry into service, was not aggravated by active service, and thus grants service connection for a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hidradenitis suppurativa, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee meniscectomy with osteoarthritis were denied as his conditions did not warrant a higher evaluation based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected right knee arthritis and instability have been granted, with a combined evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a nasal injury, left knee disability (ACL tear), and lower back disability. The Veteran's claims are supported by credible accounts of in-service injuries and medical opinions linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral aphakia does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent. The combined rating of his service-connected disabilities is 50 percent, which does not meet the requirements for a TDIU rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that a 10 percent evaluation is warranted for the Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder from May 8, 2009 forward. The appeal period prior to this date was evaluated as noncompensable.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee arthritis was not due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee replacement with arthritis, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is causally or etiologically related to service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for right inguinal hernia and did not reopen the claims for left knee and left wrist disabilities. The appellant's claim for increased rating of residuals of appendectomy was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right knee injury, status post meniscal tear is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inconsistencies in her competency status and the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for Gilbert's syndrome, right knee strain, and schizoaffective disorder with major depressive disorder are also being remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for CUE in a May 1972 rating decision that reduced his left knee disability rating from 10 percent to noncompensable. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent, reflecting severe subluxation and instability. The right shoulder disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right foot injury and total right knee arthroplasty, finding that the current evaluations were appropriate based on the evidence of record.