Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected knee disabilities have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's service from July 1982 to October 1986 was under 'other than honorable' conditions, making it a bar to VA benefits for this period. The Board also determined that there is no evidence of chronic left or right knee disabilities during the Veteran's active duty periods and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board finds no credible evidence of a current left knee disability or any other service-connected condition resulting from the 180-foot fall. The Veteran's service treatment records do not support his claim for left knee injury, and he has provided no credible evidence to substantiate his allegations.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral shoulder, hip, knee, ankle disabilities and tendonitis. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability has been manifested by limitation of flexion to at most 90 degrees and limitation of extension to 0 degrees, with the knee being stable. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of service dates and obtaining clinical records. A VA examination is also required to determine if any current right knee, right ankle, right shoulder, or back disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran died from respiratory depression due to acute morphine intoxication. The appellant claims that the death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including generalized anxiety with depression and PTSD, which may have led him to abuse painkillers like morphine. The Board finds a need for additional development to determine if the cause of death is related to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depression and multiple knee and back issues, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted an extension of the temporary total convalescence rating for right knee surgery until May 1, 2008. The Veteran's treating VA physicians estimated his recovery period to be up to 12 weeks.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, right hip disabilities, right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sinus disability, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), and swollen neck glands. The evidence submitted since the previous denial was found not to be new and material.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left hip and a left knee disability, finding that these conditions were not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is service-connected, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left and right knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that either condition warranted a higher evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, as the VA compensation examiner was unable to provide a definitive opinion on whether the Veteran's current left knee disorder is related to his military service without resorting to speculation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for right knee arthritis and finds that new and material evidence supports this claim. The Veteran's current right knee condition is found to be related to his military service, including an in-service diagnosis of osteochondritis dessicans. His bilateral hearing loss is also found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability and increased rating for his left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, a left knee disability, and a disability manifested by blood in the stool are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for left knee and neck disabilities have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that service connection is established for a left knee disability, but further development is needed before addressing the claim for a neck disability on its merits.