Knee decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain relevant service records and medical records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for knee strains.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right knee, left knee, and right ankle disorders are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, nor is there credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service separation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss, but denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's right ear hearing acuity was noted to be within normal limits throughout his military service and post-service evaluations. Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease (CAD) with a non-compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right hand disabilities due to incomplete records, including a lack of separation examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examination to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee and psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service, thus denying these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further evidentiary development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disability that he contends developed as a result of an altered gait secondary to his service-connected right knee strain, status post microscopic surgery, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The case is being remanded due to insufficient evidence on file.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records and a VA examination to determine if the appellant's current back disability is related to service. The remaining issues are also on hold until further notice.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant's representative withdrew the appeal, stating that 'the appeal has been resolved'. The issue of service connection for a right knee disorder was addressed in a previous rating decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder was incurred during service and granted service connection. The bilateral hip and knee disorders are considered secondary to the back disorder, as is the right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint, is rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5258.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for increased DIC based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to her disabilities, primarily musculoskeletal in nature.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which includes a total knee replacement, has been rated at 30 percent since the initial rating decision. The Board finds that his current symptoms warrant an increased rating to 40 percent based on additional functional loss due to pain and weakness during flare-ups.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee condition is not related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-operative degenerative changes, results in limited flexion to 45 degrees and extension to 15 degrees. The Board has determined that a 20 percent evaluation is warranted for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus, arthritis of the right knee, and arthritis of the left knee. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not found to be related to his in-service conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have approximated the criteria for a 70 percent rating from September 26, 2006. The claims for higher ratings for right and left knee disabilities remain on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and for issuance of a statement of the case regarding his lumbar spine disorder.