Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and a social and industrial survey.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for right knee instability since June 29, 2009. The Veteran's condition was previously rated at 10 percent prior to that date.

The Board denied service connection for a right leg disability, finding that the Veteran did not have a current right leg disability. The rating for limitation of extension and flexion of the right knee was increased.

The Board dismissed the appeal as it does not possess authority to award an extra-schedular rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's report of experiencing a right knee injury during service and continuous symptomatology thereafter is not credible. The VA examiner’s medical opinion failing to link the Veteran's right knee disorder to service should be afforded probative value.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various elbow, shoulder, knee, hip, and low back disorders have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the establishment of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a cervical spine disability. The claims were reopened based on new evidence received since the final denial of these conditions in 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is evaluated at a 30 percent rating, which reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Veteran has not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new joints examination and the provision of any missing VA medical records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding the issue of residuals of colonoscopy with polyp removal. The Board finds that service connection is not warranted for any of the other issues raised, as there is no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a right knee disorder, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of lumbar spine disability, service connection for seizure disorder, and reopening of right knee claim. The decision is final.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral fallen arches, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability and restless leg syndrome, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board finds that the appellant's current right knee injury residuals are related to an October 14, 2001, right knee injury incurred during a period of inactive duty training (IDT) while a Senior ROTC cadet. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the February 2002 rating decisions denying service connection for a knee disability and headaches were not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The claims of reopening service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of the current 20 percent for chondromalacia of the left knee, 10 percent for instability of the left knee, and 10 percent for limitation of flexion of both knees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development of his records and examination. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence, including treatment records from his Naval Reserve service and civilian employment with the United States Postal Service.