Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for a current VA examination of his right knee disorders.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by arthritis and instability, is currently rated at 20 percent for instability. The claim for an increased rating for arthritis with limitation of flexion remains denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic left shoulder disability or right knee disability related to his military service. The claim for secondary service connection for GERD is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the appellant's right knee, right hip and lumbar spine disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected left hip replacement with left leg shortening.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records, as well as consideration of staged ratings.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back and left knee disabilities are not related to his service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that her right knee disability did not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current evaluations.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of direct, secondary, and aggravation service connection will be adjudicated after the additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a review of employment records and possible extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a video conference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA joints examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right leg and knee disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for cervical and lumbar strains, and a knee injury is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings require additional development, including VA examinations to assess his right knee disorder, back disorder, residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right thigh, and diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded to allow this development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show blood pressure readings showing diastolic pressure of predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure of predominantly 200 or more to warrant a higher rating of 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7101 for hypertension. For the period beginning May 3, 2007, a 30 percent rating is warranted for the Veteran's residuals of fistula in ano.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by military service, as there was no chronicity of symptoms since service separation. The VA examination reports did not indicate any current diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5003, reflecting limitation of motion. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal concerning his claim for service connection for shortening of the right leg. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide a new VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any current right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.