Knee decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his right knee and cervical spine disabilities to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) for additional development.

The Board found that the reduction from a 10 percent rating to a noncompensable rating for left knee instability was proper based on sustained improvement in the disability.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of a current back disability, and thus service connection for a back disorder cannot be granted. The claims for right knee and left knee disorders are remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records from the Fayetteville VAMC.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral chondromalacia patella of the knees and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification and additional evidence, including a VA examination of his right knee disability and treatment records from various providers.

The case is REMANDED to the RO for transferring the Veteran's claims file to the Indianapolis, Indiana, RO and scheduling a hearing before a traveling section of the Board.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by postoperative degenerative changes and limited range of motion, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects his functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and service connection for neck and back injuries. The claims are being referred back to the VA examiner or another qualified medical professional for clarification.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis and chondromalacia of the knees, including as secondary to service-connected pes cavus, and for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes cavus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability (arthritis with chondrocalcinosis) is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and new evidence submitted by the Veteran's attorney. The case will be reviewed again with a new medical examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disability did not increase in severity during service, and therefore denied service connection. The Court overturned this decision, finding that there was clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability and its relationship to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case back to the RO for further action, including scheduling a video conference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current left knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis has been rated at 20% since January 1, 2000. Since May 6, 2010, the rating is increased to 40%. The Veteran now meets criteria for a higher evaluation based on significant advancement of his arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disorder was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee instability is currently rated at 10 percent, the lowest available rating under Diagnostic Code 5257. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation as her symptoms are described as mild.