Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are currently rated as noncompensable, but the Board finds that they meet the criteria for a 10% rating based on slight recurrent subluxation and pain.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which includes status post right knee arthroscopy, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new information from Social Security Administration records.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder but denied service connection for a left knee disorder. The right knee disorder is found to be at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability. The left knee disorder is found to be less likely than not related to any in-service event or condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right thumb, bilateral elbow, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need for additional development including obtaining deck logs of USS Henrico and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his initial evaluation for left knee bursitis remains at 10 percent, and service connection for a left shoulder disability was not granted.

The Board found no evidence of a preexisting knee disorder and concluded that the Veteran's current left and right knee disorders are not related to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and an increased evaluation for his right knee degenerative joint disease. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a currently diagnosed bilateral knee, hip, or low back disability that was first manifested during service or within the applicable presumptive period. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding any relationship between these disabilities and military service.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities, but the RO denied her claim. The case is now remanded for further evaluation and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, including those from his third period of active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected total left knee replacement and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not warrant an increased rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. However, he was granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for removal of semilunar cartilage effective March 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and post-service employment physicals. The appellant's service-connected low back disability, left shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disabilities are also to be evaluated.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right knee and lumbar spine disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, which was caused by a myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) and VCAA requirements. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being considered as secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and considering whether a TDIU should be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder, including a medial meniscal tear status post arthroscopic meniscectomy, was aggravated by service. However, there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for left knee disorders.