Knee decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is not causally related to his active service or a service-connected condition. The opinion from the VA examiner indicated that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's right knee disability was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected fracture of the right fifth toe.

The Veteran's left knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, skin disorder of the feet, PTSD, and internal bleeding or hemorrhoids due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board or videoconference Board hearing. Service connection claims for right leg, right knee, and lumbar spine disorders are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral arthritis of the knees and hips, finding that these conditions were aggravated by a service-connected disability (left ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are directly related to his active duty service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and determination of service connection for left leg strain, including as secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankle and foot related disabilities. The issue of secondary service connection for right knee disability due to these same service-connected conditions remains on hold.

The RO denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for total right knee replacement, effective February 1, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing VA and private treatment records for the Veteran's left knee disorder.

The Board found no evidence of a current right knee or right index finger disability that is related to service. The Veteran's claims for these disabilities were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability and bilateral hearing loss are not related to his active service. The claim for bilateral knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability during service, and continuity of symptomatology since service discharge is not established. For the hearing loss claim, while noise exposure was noted during service, the Board finds that the current hearing loss is not causally related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record, including obtaining medical records and providing an examination.

After reviewing all evidence, including VA examinations and private medical opinions, the Board finds no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at service entrance. The Veteran's reported knee, low back, and hip disorders are not shown to be related to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's low back disability is found to be related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. His bilateral knee and ankle disabilities are not found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee, status post total knee replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has found that a separate disability rating for instability of the right knee is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders are not related to his active service or secondary to a service-connected condition, leading to denial of both claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals concerning the claims of arthritis, strength issues, and other conditions. The claim for hypertension was previously denied but new evidence has been submitted to reopen it.