Knee decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his service-connected conditions or any in-service injuries, and therefore, denied all claims of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including gastrointestinal, hearing loss, left wrist, left ankle, and skin conditions were denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for right and left knee disabilities, which the Board finds requires additional development due to inadequate examination.

The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine strain, schizophrenia, right ear hearing loss, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, or fibromyositis. The effective dates for increased disability ratings were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability and skin disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the right knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by DJD and partial meniscectomy, was granted a 20 percent rating effective March 5, 2009. The condition is currently rated as moderate instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities are related to service, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions were caused or aggravated by service. The Veteran also needs a VA examination for his current hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to determine if the Veteran currently has left shoulder and right knee disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The examination results will be used to assess whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings on his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee is withdrawn due to a request by the Veteran prior to the issuance of a decision. The current rating of 10 percent for this condition remains in effect.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including psychological anguish secondary to service-connected residuals of a scalp laceration and stress as secondary to acne vulgaris, is granted. Service connection was also established for intermittent headaches and pancreatitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a more contemporary VA examination and to request additional VA records for the right knee condition.

The Veteran's back disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities, specifically the right BKA and right buttock injuries. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability was previously rated at 10 percent, effective June 12, 2002. The VA reduced this rating to zero percent effective January 24, 2007. The Board found the reduction improper and restored the original 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected knee disorders.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, hemorrhoids, varicose veins of the right leg, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as he withdrew these claims prior to the decision. The initial disability rating for a left knee disorder remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals from left knee myxoid liposarcoma, status post-radiation and excision, was denied as his disability does not more nearly approximate severe recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. He is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder is causally related to his military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.