Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis did not develop during service and is not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show that his lumbar strain with moderate residuals warranted a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to January 13, 2011 or in excess of 40 percent from January 13, 2011. The right knee disability was also found not to warrant a separate evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed skin disease, hand tremors, and joint disabilities are not related to his service or any undiagnosed illness. The hip and ankle disabilities have not been shown to be due to a chronic condition within one year of separation.

The Veteran's right eye uveitis is found to be service-connected, with the Board granting service connection for this condition. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for fibromyalgia and left knee meniscus strain are remanded for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability caused or aggravated his current diagnosed bilateral knee, hip, and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, knee, and hip disabilities are not related to his military service. The claims for secondary service connection must also fail as there is no service-connected primary disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for disability due to EMG/NCV studies performed at the VAMC in Salisbury, North Carolina.

The Board found no evidence of chronic right or left knee symptoms in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, including degenerative joint disease and ligamentous insufficiency, has been evaluated at the lowest possible rating due to the limited range of motion and instability. The current evaluations are considered appropriate based on the clinical findings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's prostate and knee disorders are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records. The Board will then review the claims again based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any lumbar spine, left leg, bilateral knee and/or bilateral foot disabilities, sinus disability, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted, effective from the date he stopped working on June 30, 2006. The claims for higher ratings of residuals of compression fracture L1 and left knee osteoarthritis are also granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including post-operative meniscectomy and osteoarthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent. He also has a separate 10% rating for arthritis of the left knee.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to their severity.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. No service connection decisions were made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right leg amputation contributed substantially or materially to his death, resulting in a finding of service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen her previously denied claims of hearing loss and tinnitus. The right wrist ganglion cyst was not rated compensable, and no other conditions met the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that all disabilities resulting from the Veteran's September 1982 motor vehicle accident were incurred as a direct result of an act of willful misconduct.