Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability. Additionally, he needs an addendum from the examiner who evaluated his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome in March 2007 regarding whether it was incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and depression were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for knee, hip, and back disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the nature of these conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 18, 2007 for the award of a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's claim was filed on this date.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disability in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection. The Board concluded that any current right knee, low back, or head injury disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, hypertension, and a heart disability were denied. The claim for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and tinnitus, finding no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, finding that his current knee conditions are related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee condition, but the Veteran's claim remains pending on other issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of any currently diagnosed bilateral knee disability.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee disability during service and denied the claim for service connection, concluding that arthritis is not presumed due to in-service exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 for convalescence following left knee surgery on February 10, 2006 is being remanded due to incomplete notice and potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to January 23, 2009 or a rating in excess of 10 percent at any time for his basal cell carcinoma with actinic keratoses.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by painful limitation of motion and slight instability, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The claim for an increased rating has been granted.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to payment or reimbursement for services performed in May 2007 on the air conditioning system of his 2000 Chevrolet Impala, as these services were deemed necessary due to a leak and required repair.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the current nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's right arm, right and left knees, and low back disabilities. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's back, bilateral hip, left knee, and right knee disorders are not related to his service-connected pes planus. The claims for secondary service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is causally related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee orthopedic problems are related to his in-service shrapnel wound injury, and service connection is granted for a right knee disability.