Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's preexisting acne was aggravated by service, resulting in current disability. Service connection is granted for this condition. The Board finds that further examination and opinion are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral ankle disorder, left inguinal hernia, left varicocele, bilateral knee disorder, and left wrist disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and elbow conditions have been granted, with the right elbow and left elbow conditions remaining at zero percent. The left knee scar has been rated at ten percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee and loss of strength in the right wrist were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right elbow injury, left knee injury, right knee injury, head injury, and low back strain. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder and back disorder were incurred during active service, granting his claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran has current stomach rash or right knee conditions related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection and granted it, finding that there is clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing left knee disability that was aggravated by active duty. The Veteran now has service connection for his degenerative changes in the left knee and chondromalacia of the left patella.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for hemorrhoids and degenerative arthritis of the left knee, as well as his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, require additional development. The case is being remanded to provide new VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, warrants a separate 10 percent rating for laxity of the right knee as of September 3, 2009.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disorders, including bilateral knee, right shoulder, left wrist, low back, skin, sinus, and ear disorders. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess his current knee disabilities, as he reported worsening symptoms since undergoing arthroscopic surgery in 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempt to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a chronic left knee disorder during active duty and there is no competent evidence of record of a currently existing left knee disorder separate and apart from problems associated with his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome. Therefore, service connection for a left knee disorder was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right tibia and fibula. The claim to reopen for a right knee disability (other than nerve damage) was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. He is now entitled to a compensable rating for his right index finger disability, left little finger disability, and depression as secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was denied. The left knee disability is currently rated at 20% due to limitation of motion, and a separate rating of 30% is granted for instability beginning on October 6, 2005. No increased ratings are granted for the low back strain or GERD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected low back disability and left knee disability, as well as any additional treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee arthritis preexisted his second period of active military service and was not aggravated therein, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right knee disorders. The medical examinations have consistently shown normal knees without any current diagnoses.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorder and left shoulder disorder, as well as whether these conditions are related to service or any pre-existing condition. The case will be remanded for this purpose.