Knee decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chondromalacia of the right knee began during her military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board found no current left knee disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The issue of bilateral pes planus is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of his service-connected disabilities in conjunction with other factors such as his employment history. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left hip and knee disabilities are related to his service-connected low back disability and/or radiculitis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder. The Veteran's appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right wrist disorder, left knee disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and residuals of a right ankle sprain have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to lack of limitation of motion or ankylosis. His claims for increased evaluations are also denied as there were no incapacitating episodes during the pendency of this appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee and right ankle disabilities, finding that the current 10 percent ratings adequately compensated him for his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability warrants a rating of 20 percent, and his left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is due to disease or injury incurred during active service, and thus grants service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but denied them on the merits. The evidence submitted was found to be cumulative and not new or material.

The Board has granted service connection for a mood disorder secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The claim for an increased rating for the service-connected back disability is also granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any right knee disorder and the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for multiple lower extremity disorders, including bilateral foot, ankle, knee, and hip conditions. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded to allow for additional development, including VA examinations. His TDIU claim is also being remanded as the necessary documentation has not been provided.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of his left knee disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the service connection claims for a left leg scar, right knee disability, right hand scar, scar from spider bite, and left shoulder disability. The Veteran also withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for hypertension and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which includes lateral instability and limitation of motion, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has granted a separate rating for noncompensable limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected left and right knee disabilities are being remanded to allow for a thorough examination and consideration of the current state of her conditions.