Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to an injury sustained during active duty or inactive duty training, and service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder, including arthritis and patella femoral syndrome, was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including severance of service connection for the right knee and adjudication of the left ankle fracture claim. The Veteran's request for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his right knee disability remains pending.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis of a chronic disorder resulting from an in-service left ankle injury. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability must be denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ocular hypertension was denied. However, his TDIU due to service-connected disabilities has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran experienced chronic inservice right knee, left knee, and right ankle disorders. As such, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and back disorders. The evidence shows that the Veteran had symptoms of back pain during active duty, which he continued to experience post-service. While there is no direct evidence linking his current back disorder to service, the continuity of symptomatology supports a finding in favor of service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left and right knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and the Board finds that current hearing loss is less likely than not related to service. The Veteran's knee disabilities are also not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, initial ratings, and earlier effective date are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or chronic disability related to the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee and ankle disorders. The service treatment records do not show any complaints, diagnoses, or treatment for these conditions during his military service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves three issues: a claim for an increased rating for his service-connected gunshot wound to the left leg, a request for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability, and a dispute over the effective date for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The case is being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back and knee disabilities. The claims are now pending for further development.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left knee traumatic arthritis, patellar tendonitis, and meniscus tear warrant a 20 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been denied as there is no medical evidence of a current disability. The Veteran has already been granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran is entitled to additional vocational rehabilitation services under Chapter 31, Title 38 of the United States Code due to his current occupation being closely related to his Individualized Employment Assistance Plan and necessitating the authorized training.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right great toe and left knee disabilities, as well as to request relevant VA outpatient records from 1990 through the present.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The claims of service connection for cancer surgery and reopening the claim for left tibia/left knee osteocondroma will be addressed after scheduling a new hearing.

The Veteran is granted service connection for sensitivity to hot and cold as a residual of dental trauma to six upper teeth, right and left. Service connection is denied for bilateral knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the claim for a TDIU. This includes obtaining all relevant medical records, conducting an appropriate examination, and ensuring compliance with due process requirements.