Knee decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus and its related complications, including genitourinary disorders, bilateral lower extremity pain (peripheral neuropathy), vision loss, and anemia. The Veteran's right knee disorder is also now considered service-connected as secondary to his left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, including patellofemoral syndrome, was incurred during active service. The claim for left Achilles tendonitis is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has ordered a new examination to evaluate the current degree of impairment and remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, with the evidence being at least in equipoise as to this point.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development of his claims, including VA examinations and the obtaining of outstanding treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed right hip, right knee, and left ankle disorders were not incurred or aggravated by his service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his service-connected sinus headaches and right knee chondromalacia were granted, but the RO denied an initial compensable rating for his right knee chondromalacia.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on the Veteran's reported stressors related to his service in the Persian Gulf War. The other claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis or etiology for the claimed conditions.,For the status post excision of lipoma on the left buttock, an initial compensable evaluation (10%) has been granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, manifested by pain and some limitation of motion, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability did not manifest during service, is not related to any in-service injury or disease, and cannot be presumed as a result of exposure to Agent Orange. The Board found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and low back disability. The case is therefore REMANDED.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder has been denied as new and material evidence has not been received.,Service connection was established for the residuals of multiple fractures of the left foot, common peroneal neuropathy, cognitive disorder, and scars. The Veteran is seeking secondary service connection for his left footdrop due to his service-connected right knee, low back, and left foot disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg pain and seborrheic dermatitis are denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability manifested by these conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disorder (lichen planus) is granted. However, his claims for increased ratings of the right foot and wrist ganglion cyst are denied.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses for privately provided rehabilitation services is being remanded due to the need to obtain missing VA records and provide a medical opinion regarding the availability of treatment at private facilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right knee injury is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The evidence did not show that the left knee disability was incurred in or aggravated by service and there was no medical opinion linking it to his service-connected right knee.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, left knee, and cervical spine disorders are related to his active service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.