Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and because he reported worsening symptoms since that examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any current right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since the May 1970 rating decision. The Board finds that the current diagnoses of right knee medial collateral ligament tear, flexion contracture, genu verum deformity, and chondromalacia/degenerative joint disease (DJD) are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability determination records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if his low back disorder is related to service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and lumbosacral spine, but denied an increased rating for the right knee. The Veteran's disability is rated under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim for service connection for a left knee condition can be adjudicated.

The Board has conceded the occurrence of a 1946 in-service incident where the Veteran slipped and fell, but there is no medical evidence linking any current left leg or knee disability to this incident. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current condition was less likely than not caused by his reported fall during service.

The Board denied the claim for an increased rating for left knee chondromalacia with synovitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is due to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment and personnel records, clarify his National Guard service status, provide notice regarding the requirements for reopening a secondary service connection claim, schedule VA examinations for his right knee, low back, and psychiatric disabilities, and determine whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board is remanding the case for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA medical records. The Veteran's claims include service connection for various joint disorders, Crohn's disease, and increased evaluations for his head injury with headaches.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for post-operative right knee injury with tear of the medial meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament with chondromalacia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed bilateral knee or low back disability, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for arthritis of the knees. The claim is granted as the Veteran's arthritis of the knees developed as a result of his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current right knee or low back disabilities, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees are being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records. The Board will seek alternative sources of evidence, conduct a new VA examination, and provide an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's knee disorders.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar strain (claimed as low back pain, claimed as secondary to service-connected residuals of fracture, left femur, with left knee strain) and tinnitus. The claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for disability resulting from residuals of fracture, left femur, with left knee strain was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of his request for a TDIU. The conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders, including arthritis resulting in total knee replacement surgery, were not incurred or aggravated during service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.