Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an ear disorder and a left knee disorder was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of either condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred or aggravated during active service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected condition, including her right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease and gunshot wound residuals of the right lower extremity were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to February 25, 2010, but granted a 20% disability rating as of that date.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disability, including residuals of injury and DJD, is related to his active service. Service connection for a low back disability, including residuals of injury and lumbar strain, is granted as secondary to the left knee disability.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to his service, and thus denied his claim.

The Board denied all claims for increased evaluations, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of those assigned.

The Veteran sustained a left knee lateral meniscus tear as a result of his participation in a VA CWT program on June 10, 2002. The Board finds that the disability was caused by and proximately caused by the Veteran's participation in the CWT program.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while significant, do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment in a sedentary capacity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of right and left knee injuries were denied as there is no current diagnosis of such conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for his left knee disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability. The evidence shows that the Veteran experienced an in-service injury, which led to current osteoarthritis of the right knee. The Board finds that this condition is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as any current conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to uncertainty regarding whether the appellant is substantially confined to her home or immediate premises by reason of disability or disabilities reasonably certain to remain throughout her lifetime.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need for additional records and proper notice.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records from SSA and VA healthcare system. The claims will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, hypertension, and status-post right great toenail excision are all rated at the lowest possible compensable levels. The Board found that none of these conditions warranted a higher rating based on their current manifestations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current DDD of the lumbar spine, DJD of the right knee, and DJD of the left knee are related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disorder and increased his rating for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee conditions have been rated based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.