Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess her service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board found that the appellant's right knee disorder existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's cause of death was adenocarcinoma of the cecum with liver metastasis, which is not service-connected. The Board found no evidence that his lymphoma contributed to or caused his death.

The Veteran's unauthorized private medical expenses incurred on July 1, 2007 were not related to a service-connected disability and did not constitute an emergency requiring immediate treatment.

The Board denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and for a higher rating for the left knee disability. The effective date of the increased rating to 30 percent for the left knee disability was not addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial ratings for his service-connected conditions were denied. The left tibia stress fracture with left knee chondromalacia resulted in a slight knee disability, not warranting the requested higher rating. For the adjustment disorder with depressed mood, the criteria for a 70 percent initial rating have been met since November 8, 2007.

The Veteran's right knee disability is manifested by noncompensable limitation of flexion and extension, arthritic changes, and mild instability. The Board denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to dress, undress himself, keep himself clean or attend to the wants of nature. The Board finds that he does not require regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome and right shoulder impingement were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on current medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The bilateral hip and knee disorders were found not to be incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a low back disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.,The Veteran's bilateral knee torn medial meniscus was not found to be related to VA care, as the VA examiner stated it was an incidental occurrence.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities should be reconsidered, but finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. As such, the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to further development being required. The claim of service connection for left knee disability remains pending and will be addressed after the additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to further development being required. The claim of service connection for left knee disability remains pending and will be addressed after the additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of the claims regarding the appellant's right and left knee disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's right knee instability and arthritis have been granted a rating of 30 percent, effective from the date of his discharge from service in November 1945. The Veteran is also entitled to a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis of the right knee.