Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as he does not have a current disability. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, and low back disability are all considered under the direct theory of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is etiologically related to her active service, and thus grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 20, 2007, for the award of service connection for internal derangement, left knee, status post surgical repair of the cruciate ligaments with degenerative joint disease was denied as his original claim in 1994 was deemed abandoned.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, finding no credible evidence linking any of the conditions to service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be made on the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The case is therefore REMANDED to obtain additional medical records, provide the Veteran with VA examinations, and adjudicate the claims.

The Board has remanded the appeal for further development, including determining the Veteran's duty status between August 23, 1971 and December 31, 1972. The case will be returned to the Board after this information is obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service and have denied all of his claims for service connection.,Specifically, the Board found no evidence of rheumatoid arthritis or tendinopathy in service and concluded that these conditions did not start during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to need for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee disorder or testicular condition in service, and the Veteran did not experience continuous symptoms after service. The Board also found that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a connection between any current disorders and service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral leg/knee disability and a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not etiologically related to his period of active service or service-connected pes planus. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected condition prevents him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.,The Board determined that the Veteran's subjective symptoms of knee pain are not attributable to an event during active service, nor do they constitute additional impairment due to his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's right knee strain with degenerative disc disease and cervical spine disc disease are service-connected, as they are related to his in-service injuries. His allergic rhinitis is also service-connected.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, but she is not found to be unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and requesting additional medical records. The claim will be reconsidered on the merits.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's right knee disorder is due to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her claims for service connection are not supported by the evidence of record.,The Veteran was granted service connection for depression, but denied service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an anterior left lower leg disability and a left knee disability, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a left lower anterior tibia laceration, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU, as they are not found to be unemployable due solely to his service-connected conditions. The dental disorder claims remain unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining outstanding records. The claims for higher ratings will be adjudicated in light of all pertinent evidence and legal authority.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's arthritis of the knees originated in service, and the medical opinion supports this finding.