Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a new examination, including consideration of whether separate ratings are warranted for each knee.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder is not service-connected, but his right knee disorder and ulcerative colitis are granted.

The Veteran's claims for peptic ulcers, sleep apnea, and bilateral knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and left knee disorder. The claim for bilateral pes planus is granted, while the claim for left knee disorder remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability did not increase in severity during service and is not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his low back disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hand, eye, gout to include as due to Agent Orange exposure, and knee disabilities are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective February 1, 2010. The Board finds that a higher rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted for the period since February 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining his VR&E file.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Appellant's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected left knee disabilities, including a review of additional evidence submitted by the Appellant.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability was denied. The VA found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for limitation of extension of the left knee, 10 percent for left knee instability, and 10 percent for chondrocalcinosis, status post-operative, left knee.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee disorder in service and the competent and credible evidence does not support a relationship between the Veteran's current right knee disorder and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The RO will consider this evidence in their re-adjudication.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and verifying the Veteran's current address.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease, bilateral knees and hypertension due to new evidence showing aggravation during his second period of active duty. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA orthopedic examination to determine the etiology of his right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations to determine service connection for various conditions, including Gulf War Syndrome, obesity, joint disorders, psychiatric disorder (PTSD), skin condition, headaches, and high blood pressure.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to reassess the severity of his left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder and reopened the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The Veteran's current knee disorders are considered to be related to her military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but denied them on their merits. The Veteran's current knee conditions are not shown to be directly related to his military service.