Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability and is now considering it on its merits. The Veteran experienced symptoms of joint pain following military service, which were noted in his service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, left leg disability, back disability, neck disability, right ear hearing loss, left knee instability, and arthritis. The Veteran's claims for a separate rating for left knee arthritis and a higher evaluation for left knee meniscal tear are also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral ankle and knee conditions, bilateral shoulder conditions, residuals of rib fractures, a low back condition, circulatory disturbances of the legs and right toe amputation, and sleep apnea. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, right hand disability, residuals of head injury with symptoms of neck pain and headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder. However, the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence, as well as for further examinations to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disorders based on new evidence submitted since the August 2006 rating decision. The claims are now considered for merits.

The Board has decided to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder and to remand that claim for additional development.

The Board has determined that a new medical examination is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, as the current evidence is insufficient to evaluate these claims. The appeal is REMANDED.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including the residuals of meniscectomies and degenerative joint disease, is rated at 30 percent disabling as of December 1, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee and low back disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as they have been shown to cause no more than slight limitation of motion.

The Veteran has been granted status as a Persian Gulf War veteran and is entitled to consideration for undiagnosed illness under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1117 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to conflicting medical findings and opinions regarding his service-connected left knee tendinitis. The case requires additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left ankle disorder in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for her right shoulder and right knee conditions, as they are not shown to be related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional records to be obtained from the Gainesville VAMC and for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, wrist, hip, and ankle disabilities, finding no evidence of direct service connection or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, finger, knee, foot, and chest conditions are not related to her active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip and left knee disabilities are not related to his active military service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, coronary artery disease, and low back disability. The Veteran's claims for reopening of renal mass, bladder cancer, left knee, and prostate disabilities were also denied.