Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination of his bilateral knee conditions, as the current evidence does not adequately reflect their severity.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The evidence provided does not establish a clear link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Louisville, Kentucky RO for further development due to his claims involving exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. A VA examination is also required to determine if his left knee disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with L5 nerve root impingement and degenerative disc disease is service-connected.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the Veteran's right knee chondromalacia and her military service.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is denied as the treatment was not for a condition requiring immediate attention and VA facilities were available.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and his service-connected left knee strain with meniscus tear is currently rated at 20 percent.,Neither condition meets the criteria for a higher rating under current VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and treatment records to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, hypertension, and left knee disability were not incurred or aggravated by his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by limited range of motion and edema, does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 20 percent.

The Veteran's initial claims for higher evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to any higher ratings.,Service connection was established, but no higher initial evaluations could be granted as the evidence did not meet the criteria for such.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found the Veteran's statements regarding continuity of symptomatology from service to be not credible, and thus denied his claim for service connection for bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran has been shown to currently have a bilateral knee disorder that is causally or etiologically related to his military service, and the Board finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to obtain specially adapted housing or financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal seeking increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider this matter.

The Veteran does not have a depressive disorder that is attributable to military service or was caused or made worse by her service-connected right knee disorder.,The Veteran does not have a left hip disorder.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran filed timely NODs regarding his claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine injury, right shoulder injury, thoracic and lower lumbar spine injury, left knee injury, and right knee injury. The appeal is granted.