Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin disability was incurred during active military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome affecting both knees and partial urethral obstruction are each rated as noncompensable (zero percent) under applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO in Columbia, South Carolina for scheduling a Board videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for right and left knee disorders are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including degenerative arthritis of the left knee with tear of the medial meniscus, was denied as there is no persuasive evidence to support a finding that any current left knee disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is manifested by complaints of pain, instability, inability to walk more than a mile or stand for long periods, occasional use of a cane and a knee brace. The RO determined that the Veteran's right knee deserves a higher evaluation based on limited flexion to 125 degrees with pain.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability and right knee injury with DJD were not granted service connection, but his right knee injury was granted an increased rating to 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disorder, bilateral knee or ankle disorders, left foot disorder, stomach disorder, or headache disorder that is related to his military service. Service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthralgia of the bilateral hips, knees and ankles due to recurrent sprains is at least as likely as not related to his period of active service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and left knee disabilities, finding that the schedular criteria did not meet the requirements for higher initial disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder and other conditions, render him unemployable due to his cognitive impairments and physical limitations.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and ACL tear existed prior to service, and that any increase in severity during service was due to normal progression. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a blast injury during service and denied the Veteran's claim for residuals of a blast injury to include injuries to the left thigh, right knee and back with scarring.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow and knee disorders has been remanded due to ambiguities in the record and the need for medical opinions regarding the existence and etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more current VA examination of his left knee disability and clarification on whether he desires a hearing before the Board. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his time in military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD, status post left knee replacement, is currently rated at 40 percent combined. The Board finds that the symptoms warrant a 60 percent disability rating.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the claims for tinnitus, bilateral knee disorder, and PTSD are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability has been rated as noncompensable, but the Board finds that a compensable rating is warranted based on painful limitation of motion. The Veteran's right knee sprain has also been granted an initial 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee condition is etiologically related to his active military service and grants the claim for service connection.