Knee decisions — 2011

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, as new and material evidence was received. The claim for a neck disorder remains denied due to lack of competent evidence linking current symptoms to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death, and thus grants the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal before the Board could make a decision, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran underwent bilateral above the knee amputations at VA facilities in September and October 2006. The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records, including those from West Roxbury VAMC and Brockton VAMC, as well as SSA disability determination records. A supplemental opinion will be requested from a physician who provided an initial opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and lateral laxity of the left knee were denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, and right knee disorders are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is currently in remand status due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection and initial compensable ratings for left knee bursitis, right knee ganglion cyst, right wrist distal radius fracture, and left ear hearing loss have been granted. The effective date is September 1, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and proper VCAA notice.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and secondary service connection for sinusitis. The August 22, 1975 rating decision denying service connection for a right knee disorder is not found to contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, and left wrist arthritis. The claim for chloracne is also reopened. However, the Board finds that additional development is needed to determine whether these conditions are related to Agent Orange exposure or other causes.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes a history of ACL reconstruction and residual scar, is currently rated at 20 percent. The VA has determined that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and limitation of motion without instability or subluxation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, and tendon disorder of the left foot (to include a left ankle disorder). The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes and knee disabilities do not render him permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes as he is able to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's in-patient and out-patient treatment records from various VA facilities, as well as any relevant service treatment records. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video-conference hearing. The claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are pending.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and granted it on its underlying merits, finding that there is sufficient evidence to link current knee disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including patellar spurring, was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, restless leg syndrome, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not related to his military service. The claim for low back disorder is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and effective dates have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the claimed conditions or their relationship to military service.