Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various orthopedic conditions were denied. The initial rating decisions assigned non-compensable evaluations, and later adjustments did not result in a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted, and the lung disability reopening claim is granted. Claims under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has chronic service-connected disabilities of the left ankle and right knee.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for the Veteran to undergo examinations to assess his PTSD and right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Board has restored the 60 percent ratings for right and left total knee replacements, finding that the reduction to 30 percent was not supported by adequate evidence.

The Board has granted an evaluation of 20 percent for service-connected right and left knee chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of shrapnel wounds to the right leg and knee are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for these conditions.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability of the back, hips, ankles, right knee, or feet that is related to his military service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support granting service connection for any of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hip and knee disabilities are not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected left sacral radiculopathy.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining a new medical examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's fibromyalgia and whether he has separate knee or elbow disabilities. The examiner should also provide a full description of the effects of his service-connected fibromyalgia on his ability to work and on activities of daily living.

The Veteran's right knee disability, specifically arthritis, has been rated at 10 percent since the initial grant of service connection. The rating is based on his daily pain and functional impairment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn with respect to the issues of service connection for COPD, right knee chondromalacia, and left knee post traumatic degenerative joint disease. The case is being remanded for additional development regarding cervical spine service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee disability and granted it. The Veteran's current right knee disability is found to be related to an injury during service in 1983. Service connection for PTSD was also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee ligamentous strain, left knee injury, and low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.