Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an injury to the left clavicle and a compensable rating for residuals of a laceration wound to the right knee joint were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, as he can perform substantially gainful employment with his training and skills.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with appropriate examinations to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any spine disorder and bilateral knee disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and recurrent blood clots. The claims are REMANDED for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee and wrist disabilities began during service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent and no higher. The VA examiner found that the Veteran had a range of motion from 0 to 110 degrees with no objective evidence of pain with active motion, and no additional limitations after repetition of motion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left foot conditions, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The initial rating of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability are also granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 10, 2007 and increased to 20 percent effective May 10, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims have been dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's active duty service was less than the required 36 months for full benefit, and thus he is only eligible for a reduced benefit level of 60%. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C and a right knee disorder have all been denied.,There is no evidence of any current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his military service or to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and thus denied both direct and secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left and right knee conditions are being remanded due to inadequacies in the July 2010 VA examination, including a lack of consideration of secondary service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the inadequacy of the VA examination, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is now pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his employment difficulties are attributed to non-service-connected factors and he does not meet the schedular requirements for a total rating.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his osteoarthritis of the left knee status post total knee replacement did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his right knee disability, including instability and arthritis. The issue of whether separate evaluations for limitation of flexion and extension due to arthritis are appropriate will also be addressed.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the appellant's right knee disability, which was initially service-connected during ACDUTRA. The new opinion must consider all relevant evidence of record and determine if the current disability is related to the injury sustained during basic training.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of the recent revisions to 38 C.F.R. � 3.304(f)(3).