Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The case is remanded due to the need for further medical development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and service connection for a stress disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records from 2009 to present. The Veteran is also advised of the need for secondary service-connection evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, migraine headaches, and seizure disorder. The effective date for the grant of service connection for migraine headaches was set at October 5, 2009.

The Board found no current diagnoses of hypertension, right knee disorder, back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The Veteran's service treatment records and post-service medical records do not show any signs or symptoms of these conditions during or after his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any condition related to his service, and therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right knee disability, as well as his claim for an increased rating for his left ankle condition. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board found no current diagnoses of a right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, or right knee disorder at any time during the pendency of the appeal.,For the left knee disorder, the Board did not find credible evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a supplemental VA examination to determine if his bilateral hip and knee disabilities are permanently aggravated by his service-connected hammertoes.

The Veteran's appeal of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist was withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision. The remaining issues have been addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records. The case will be reviewed by the RO after all necessary actions are completed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability and bilateral pes planus were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The preexisting conditions did not show an increase in severity during service, and there was no evidence of aggravation.

The Veteran's right knee disability is found to be service-connected. The claim for joint pain, including left knee and left ankle pain, was not fully adjudicated as it pertains to secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities and lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied reopening of the previously denied right knee disability claim due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA clinical notes. The TDIU claim is also being addressed.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's claims. The issues of service connection are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total rating based on surgery for his right knee disability has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as her peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, are not related to or caused by her service-connected cold injury residuals. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right knee disability was denied as the evidence did not show that a higher rating was warranted based on the current manifestations of his condition.