Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's partial ankylosis of the right knee with degenerative changes is manifested by symptoms including painful motion, but no objective evidence of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The current rating of 30 percent is appropriate.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from June 1998 to April 2003 at Premier Medical Ear, Nose, and Throat Group. The denial was based on the absence of prior authorization, non-emergent nature of the treatment, and lack of feasibly available VA facilities.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's left knee disorder remains in dispute and requires further examination and review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left lateral meniscectomy is granted. The Board finds that the current left knee disorder may be secondary to the preexisting residuals of a left lateral meniscectomy.

The Board has granted service connection for post-operative residuals of a right knee disorder, including chronic synovitis, finding that the condition was aggravated during active service.

The Veteran's DJD of the left knee, osteoarthritis of the hips (claimed as hip dysplasia), and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are all found to be incurred in or aggravated by active service. However, hypertension is not found to be related to service, and residuals of exposure to tincture of Merthiolate were not shown to be incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the Board needs additional information regarding his employability and the combined effect of all his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated VA opinion regarding the appellant's skin disabilities, including those diagnosed during the appeal period. The opinion must reconcile with previous examinations and address the June 30, 2008 VA treatment note.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a direct service connection for the Veteran's right knee and ankle disabilities, nor can they be linked as secondary to his service-connected left knee osteoarthritis. The claims were therefore denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by postoperative residuals with traumatic arthritis and limited flexion, is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's osteomyelitis of the left and right tibia, as well as his osteoarthritis of the right knee with subsequent knee replacement, are all considered to be directly related to service.,However, the decision is mixed because some issues were granted (osteomyelitis) while others were not (osteoarthritis).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, including degenerative joint disease, did not manifest during service or as a result of an in-service injury and is therefore not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims are reopened, but service connection is not granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's left knee disorder was incurred in service and has been etiologically related to service, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain and right knee meniscectomy residuals. The Veteran now has a new C&P joints examination to determine if his current knee disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision of a decision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) because the moving party failed to adequately set forth the alleged errors in the August 6, 1973 Board decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected left and right knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of her disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.