Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's left knee disability, including DJD, is currently rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable rating criteria. The Board finds no legal basis for a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for all periods considered, thus denying his claim for NSC pension benefits.

The Board has found that the appellant's right knee arthritis, status post arthroscopy, was incurred in active duty for training and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and low back disorders were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor are they related to any incident of service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, increased ratings for degenerative disc disease with herniated disc at L3-4 and L4-5, right leg radiculopathy, and left L4 radiculopathy have been denied. The Veteran's current left knee disability is not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a current right or left hip disability separate from the service-connected radiculitis and sciatica of the lower extremities. The Veteran's complaints of bilateral hip pain were attributed to his service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability was denied as the current manifestations of his condition do not warrant a higher rating than the currently assigned 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's knee, ankle, elbow, wrist, and back disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's DJD of the knees is related to service, but his low back disability and left elbow disability are not.,The VA examiner found that the current DJD of the knees is due in part to service, while the current low back disability and left elbow disability are less likely caused by service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral knee, hip, and low back disorders due to secondary service connection with a request for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for her lumbar spine disability and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current Lyme disease or any residuals thereof, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private medical records, and further development is needed before a final decision can be made on the service connection claim for left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the claim for service connection for a right knee disability is no longer valid as he has passed away.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not related to service or any service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for extraschedular ratings in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that the schedular criteria adequately encompassed his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case to the VA RO for further development due to the Veteran's receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits for his left knee disorder during the pendency of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability due to outstanding VA medical records and additional development of evidence.