Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service. The claim for left knee disability is remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations. The Board will consider the evidence in its decision.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and TDIU related to his service-connected knee disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain SSA records, provide requested documents, conduct a VA examination, and consider the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests; therefore, he does not have a serious employment handicap and is not entitled to vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31 of Title 38, United States Code.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating greater than 20 percent under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his right knee, left knee, and back conditions. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to support a finding of pre-existing right knee condition or aggravation during service. The Board also determined that the Veteran did not have any current disabilities for which secondary service connection could be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting left knee and right hip disorders were not aggravated by service, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions. The Board also found no new or material evidence to reopen claims for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn by him, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, bilateral shoulder disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The appeals were decided on a direct basis without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are unavailable and remands his claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence. The Veteran is requested to provide information regarding medical treatment for the claimed disabilities since his discharge from service, including alternate sources such as VA military files or private medical providers.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right ankle, knee, and hip disabilities. The current rating of 30 percent for residuals of a fracture of the right fibula with degenerative arthritis of the right ankle is maintained.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for residual scar of right knee cyst and denied service connection for cyst behind the right ear. Service connection is also granted for hepatitis C, but not for low back disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability and has determined that he meets the criteria for service connection. The appeal regarding the right knee disability is remanded due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's knee conditions have been granted service connection, but the assigned disability ratings do not exceed the initial 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The issues include seeking increased ratings for various knee and hand conditions, as well as seeking service connection for hip conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a comprehensive review of the record to determine if the Veteran's death is related to his service-connected conditions or any other condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his claimed shoulder, knee, and headache disabilities as well as the severity of his service-connected thoracolumbar strain.