Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine and right wrist disabilities, as well as any newly identified conditions. The effective dates will be determined based on the findings from these examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for various disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left and right knee disabilities, cervical spine disability, neurological disabilities in both upper extremities, and a psychiatric condition. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury and asthma with emphysema, finding that these conditions are directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right and left knee disabilities has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including recurrent urethral strictures and multiple other health issues, all allegedly related to exposure to ionizing radiation during military service. The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the bilateral knees and feet, as well as secondary service connection due to his service-connected sciatica, was denied. The VA examinations did not find any current diagnosed conditions with respect to the knees or feet.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities involving the Veteran's bilateral knees, left shoulder, left ankle, or back, including the lumbar and thoracic spine, that are due to any incident or event in active military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his desire to withdraw all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his total knee replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent from November 1, 2009. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of the disability.

The RO reduced the Veteran's ratings for right knee degenerative joint disease from 40 percent to 30 percent and for left knee disorder from 30 percent to noncompensable, both effective February 1, 2004.,The RO also granted entitlement to a compensable rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease under DC 5260.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his psychiatric disability, and evaluations in excess of 20 percent for his cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities. The right knee arthritis and right knee instability disabilities were also denied. No new evidence was presented to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of her left knee disorders, including whether any current conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and tinnitus. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to active duty.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and personnel information. The AOJ will make a second request for the Veteran's service treatment records, attempt to obtain his service personnel records, and seek any VA treatment records since January 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the appellant requires aid and attendance, which could affect his entitlement to increased special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(r).

The Veteran's left knee disability is not rated higher than 10 percent due to the lack of evidence showing more severe symptoms such as locking, lateral instability, or recurrent subluxations.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with hallux valgus does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent as there is no objective evidence of marked deformity, pain on manipulation and use accentuated, indication of swelling on use, characteristic callosities, or marked pronation. The impairment does not exceed that of moderate bilateral pes planus.,The Veteran's left wrist ganglion cyst has not been surgically treated and does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as there are no significant symptoms or functional impairment.

The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, and that additional Social Security Disability records should be obtained.