Knee decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to need aid and attendance. The Veteran will be provided a VA examination to determine this.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral hip disorder or a bilateral knee disorder, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The Board also found no evidence to support a finding that any current knee disorders are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee and leg shrapnel wounds is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new examination.

The Veteran's arthritis of the hips and knees were not found to be related to service, but his ankle disabilities have been granted initial ratings.,The Veteran was awarded a 10% rating for each of his right and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain a supplemental opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, including chondromalacia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA outpatient treatment records and information from private providers. The right knee sciatic nerve irritation issue will be reconsidered.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence of a current bilateral knee disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss was remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is a service-connected condition, as it was present during active duty and continues to cause symptoms since then.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, internal derangement of the left knee, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee was denied. The Board found no current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for his left knee and hip disorders is being remanded due to the need for a proper medical examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and low back condition, including an examination to determine if any current conditions are related to service or pre-existing injuries.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating of his gastrointestinal disability were denied. The Board found that the residuals of duodenal ulcer with a history of gastritis, duodenitis, and hiatal hernia warranted a 10% evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his acid reflux, lumbar spine disability, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for left knee, left hip, and low back disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his left knee disability and secondary service connection issues.

The Veteran's right knee disability, manifested by severe pain and weakness, is currently rated at 60 percent under the rating criteria for a total knee replacement. This meets the requirements for a higher rating.

The appeal is being remanded due to missing VA outpatient records and the need for additional examinations to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right foot or left foot disability found to be present.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records from VA medical centers in Rome, Las Vegas, and San Diego. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder will be reconsidered based on these new records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a VA examination.