Knee decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative joint disease does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating, as it is currently manifested by limitation of flexion to 135 degrees and x-ray evidence of degenerative changes. The current 10 percent evaluation adequately reflects the severity of this disability.

The Veteran's appeal of his service connection claims for left and right knee disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and readjudication of her claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher disability evaluations for diabetes mellitus, left knee arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher evaluation for his diabetes mellitus as it does not require regulation of activities.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, depressive disorder, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left shoulder disability. The RO has already granted service connection for these conditions but is seeking higher initial ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the conditions did not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee with degenerative joint disease and rheumatoid pulmonary nodules, finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder did not onset in service and was not caused by or related to service, including his service-connected right ankle disability. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates were denied as the earliest date of entitlement is March 3, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient detail in the examination report and the need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied, and his claims for increased evaluations of left knee degenerative joint disease were also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an award of service connection or higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his service-connected left tibia fracture and granted service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of a right knee disability or degenerative joint disease of the right knee, so the claim for this issue was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the relationship between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his in-service activities, including heavy pack carrying and physical training. As such, service connection is granted for left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further investigation regarding his service-connected PTSD and potential duplicate file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and an orthopedic examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability.

The Veteran's internal derangement, status post arthroscopy, right knee has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his low back, right knee, bilateral hip, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, cervical spine, and right knee disabilities are related to his active duty service.