Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's left and right knees were rated at 10 percent prior to October 16, 2010. From that date, the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for each knee.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disability was aggravated during his second period of active duty service, and thus service connection for a right knee disability is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining new VA examinations and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and determined that his injuries in August 1993 were incurred in the line of duty and not due to willful misconduct.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his right knee disability and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a review of the claims file by an orthopedic surgeon.

The Board has determined that there is no legal entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a right knee disability, as the claim was filed more than one year after separation from active service and the evidence does not show that the Veteran's current right knee problems were related to his period of service at the time of his initial claim in 1991.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for the grants of service connection for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and lumbar spine disability are not earlier than September 11, 2006.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims by his representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis are related to his period of active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of evidence, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and Social Security Administration disability determination records. The case will be adjudicated again after all necessary steps are taken.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is being evaluated again by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a travel board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The case will then be returned to the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and arthritis are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition. The Board also found no evidence of left or right leg radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for back, left knee, feet, and left ear disabilities but denied reopening of the claim for service connection for a left ear disability. The effective date for PTSD is set at September 29, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal with regard to the claims for service connection for a left knee disability and a right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient analysis in a previous VA examination.