Knee decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disorders do not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his right knee, left hip, and cervical spine conditions were denied. The RO found that the Veteran's range of motion in these joints did not meet criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a clarifying medical opinion regarding the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee scar was denied. The RO granted a 20 percent disability rating effective July 20, 2010, but the Board found that this did not warrant an increased rating under any applicable criteria.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection were denied. The highest schedular rating of 50 percent was assigned for the service-connected status post total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, which is currently rated as resolved.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a bilateral knee disability, finding that there is no current evidence of these conditions. The claim for bilateral knee disability was denied as there is no medical evidence supporting the existence of such a condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities. The evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral wrist disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and remanded the remaining issues of secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, arthralgia of the knees, myofascial syndrome, and a cervical spine disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and updated medical records, as his left knee disability may have worsened since the last evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and boils. It also denied his requests for increased evaluations for Meniere's Disease, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, residuals of a recurrent right ankle sprain, and residuals of a left wrist fracture.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including whether they are related to service. The Veteran will be scheduled for examinations to address these issues.

The Board has determined that further development is required before the Veteran's claims are decided, including obtaining a discharge examination report and any other necessary development. The case will be remanded for de novo review.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's left knee limitation of motion and instability, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher initial rating for the right knee disability and TDIU prior to December 28, 2002 due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current knee disorders are not related to service and did not cause or permanently worsen his service-connected bilateral flat feet. The Veteran's bilateral flat feet disability is characterized by pronation, pain on manipulation, and characteristic calluses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee chondromalacia, first documented by MRI in April 2008, was related to her complaint of right knee pain during service and granted service connection for this condition.