Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The Board found that the Veteran has current left knee disabilities, but these are not related to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral knee disorders, finding new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's overpayment of disability compensation benefits, in the amount of $1,864.80, is being reviewed by the Board due to a challenge from the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee and shoulder disabilities are being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining recent medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on being housebound due to service-connected disabilities was denied as he does not meet the statutory or regulatory threshold for SMC.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee arthroplasty has been rated at 30% since August 1, 2005. The Board found that the current disability level does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to his service-connected left knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right wrist disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran's spinal disorder was granted a 10 percent evaluation prior to April 25, 2010, but not in excess of that. The Veteran's snapping hip syndrome was also denied.

The Veteran's disability evaluation for his service-connected right knee condition has been reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective June 1, 2010. The case is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by osteoarthritis and patellofemoral tracking syndrome, has not been shown to warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent assigned.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee arthritis were not attributable to military service.,The VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's current knee problems were related to his in-service Reiter's syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a medial meniscal tear and Baker's cyst, right knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case to his current address.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and his left knee disability is also rated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran contends that these disabilities are more severe than the current ratings suggest.,The Veteran has not provided any evidence to support a higher rating for either of his knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a hernia is granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to the etiology of the claimed residuals of a hernia, especially considering the March 1999 finding that the left inguinal hernia and epigastric hernia were incurred in the line of duty.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, including verification of his service dates. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back strain with osteoarthritis and left knee strain with osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by his active duty.