Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service and have denied all of his service connection claims.

The Veteran's DJD of the knees, while visible on x-ray, did not cause any painful or limited motion and no incapacitating exacerbations. Therefore, a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Board has restored the 30 percent evaluation for pilonidal cyst and granted increased evaluations for degenerative joint disease of both knees. The TDIU issue is addressed in a separate remand.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for clarification of periods of active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss was reduced from 10% to noncompensable effective November 1, 2008. His other claims for increased evaluations were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The case will be rescheduled for the next available hearing date at the same facility.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, but the Veteran's claim for secondary scoliosis of the spine remains pending and requires additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his combined rating is less than 70 percent and he is not unemployable due solely to these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current level of disability related to the Veteran's left knee condition and whether an additional separate evaluation is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is related to his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for right ear hearing loss, seborrheic keratoses of the head and back (claimed as the face), left knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorder. However, the claims are not granted on their merits due to lack of probative evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on their current symptoms and medical evidence, but do not meet the criteria for higher schedular ratings.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was evaluated at 20% prior to July 19, 2007. The Board denied the claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability. Service connection for bilateral knee disability was also denied.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current hypertension and heart conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left knee disability, which he claims was aggravated by his military service. The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current left knee condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder is related to an in-service bilateral knee injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records related to his employment status and service-connected disabilities during a specific period.