Knee decisions — 2011

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that her symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence to decide the claim, including a need for another medical examination.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection of a left knee disability, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA orthopedic examination to determine if the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his service or pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by a limitation of flexion to 120 degrees and extension to 0 degrees with tears to the medial meniscus and lateral meniscus, has been rated at 10 percent based on limitation of motion. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim. The evidence submitted since the RO's September 2004 decision, although new, does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the low back disorder claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastrointestinal disability (including ulcers), kidney stones, and right knee synovitis were denied. The Board found that the pre-existing hearing loss was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including dislocation and a medial patellofemoral tear, has been granted service connection. He is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's diagnosed bilateral shoulder, right knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities have not been shown to be related to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine if he has hypertension secondary to his service-connected disorders. The RO/AMC will also ensure that an SOC is issued on the issue of left knee laxity.

The Board has found service connection for a low back disorder, but the claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders and bilateral hip disorders are remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis, specifically whether it is related to or aggravated by his service-connected bony fragment of the right tibia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder with psychotic features, sleep apnea, migraines, lumbar spine degenerative changes, right knee injuries, and hypertension, render him housebound or in need of aid and attendance. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia patella are found to have pre-existed service but were aggravated by military service, warranting service connection.,There is a strong correlation between the Veteran's pes planus and his low back disability. The Board finds that this low back disability may be considered secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the combined effect of his service-connected right knee disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear pain, leukoplakia, GERD, bruxism, left knee disability, impingement syndrome of the right shoulder, cervical spine DJD, lumbar spine DJD, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition or link to service.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for right shoulder tendinopathy with retained shrapnel and chondromalacia patella of the right knee are being remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently suffer from Cushing's Syndrome and her other claimed disabilities are not related to service.