Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling examinations to determine if current prostate and left ankle disabilities are related to service or herbicide exposure, and adjudicating a petition to reopen a right knee disability claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and granted service connection for both his right and left knee disabilities. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran sustained injuries during parachute jumps in service, which led to continuous knee symptoms since then.

The Veteran's left knee strain, status post arthroscopic surgery, has been manifested by complaints of pain and normal range of motion. The disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA records and SSA disability benefits information. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions and reviewing all relevant treatment records.

The Board has granted increased evaluations for the Veteran's right knee traumatic arthritis and residuals of a right knee meniscectomy, with both conditions rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional right knee pain and instability incurred as a result of surgery performed at the Fort Meade VAMC on September 12, 2006, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The issues of service connection for hypertension and bilateral knee strain are among those that need further review.

The Veteran's current left shoulder disability is presumed to be related to service, as evidenced by his reported symptoms and the VA examination.,Service connection for aplastic anemia has been granted based on a finding that it was caused by in-service exposure to benzene.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is manifested by findings of pain without evidence of arthritis, and without the following manifestations: additional functional loss due to pain, weakness, incoordination or fatigue so as to limit flexion to 30 degrees or less or limit extension to 15 degrees or more; recurrent subluxation or instability; or frequent episodes of locking and effusion into the joint.,The Veteran's service-connected left knee condition is manifested by findings of arthritis with pain, but without: additional functional loss due to pain, weakness, incoordination or fatigue so as to limit flexion to 30 degrees or less or limit extension to 15 degrees or more; recurrent subluxation or instability; or frequent episodes of locking and effusion into the joint.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss with a 10% disability rating, effective April 19, 2007. The Veteran's other claims were denied.

The Veteran's right femur and right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, reflecting more than slight but less than moderate disability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for both claims, including obtaining additional VA medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his employability. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration if necessary.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities do not warrant an increased rating as they are currently rated, with flexion limited to less than the required degrees for higher ratings.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is found to have its onset during his second period of active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.,The Veteran withdrew from consideration the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a left leg disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's postoperative residuals of a right knee injury are not service-connected, and his arthritis of the right knee and ankle is also not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the RO increased his disability rating to 10 percent, effective September 2, 2009. The claim remains before the Board due to less than maximum benefit being awarded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed bilateral knee disability or low back disability, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled Travel Board hearing. His claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right knee conditions remains under consideration.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided are inadequate for adjudicating the Veteran's claims and has therefore ordered a new examination to determine the etiology of his back and bilateral knee disorders.