Knee decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left knee or bilateral leg disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the left knee did not manifest within one year after separation from service and was not causally related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Appellant should undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left knee disability. The claim is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that there was a failure to provide substantial compliance with its December 2010 remand directives and has therefore ordered the case back for further development, including obtaining an addendum to the February 2011 VA examination report.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left total knee replacements with osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis of the wrists, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The VA examiner found that these conditions were not caused by or related to military service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right and left knees are currently rated at 10 percent each, but his lumbar spine arthritis is rated at 10 percent. The appeal for higher ratings on both knee conditions has been denied.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left knee disabilities prior to May 14, 2007 were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.,The Veteran was characterized with limited flexion and extension in both knees.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee and low back disorders are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disease with an onset in service. The preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective December 8, 2008. The left knee instability and arthritis are each rated at 10 percent since October 30, 2007.

The Board has determined that the current examination and evaluation of the Veteran's right knee, left hip, and right hip disorders are inadequate for rating purposes. The case is therefore being remanded to obtain a new examination and assessment.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for higher initial ratings and service connection claims. The right wrist disability is rated at the maximum available benefit, while other conditions have not been established as service-connected.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence of a current left knee disability or an in-service injury to the knees. The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia, was not shown during service and there is insufficient competent medical evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to missing service treatment records and the need for additional examinations. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination of the Veteran's left knee and consideration of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine strain and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome were denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tachycardia, bilateral knee disorder (including tendonitis), and hyperlipidemia did not have their onset during his period of active military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain, right ankle pain, and left knee pain are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is as likely as not caused by an injury sustained during his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.