Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral knee and foot conditions, as well as whether they are related to service or secondary to his service-connected myofascial low back pain.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed right knee disorder did not have its onset in service, was not manifested to a compensable degree within one year after service, and is otherwise unrelated to service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled video-conference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after rescheduling.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination. The appellant's claim of service connection for a left knee disability is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional service personnel and medical records. The claims will be adjudicated again after these records are obtained.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records, is needed to properly adjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding entitlement to service connection for a right knee condition due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim for tinnitus was denied as there is no credible evidence linking current tinnitus to service, including noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to conduct a VA examination. The issues include multiple sclerosis, right knee disorder, muscle spasms, colon disorder, eye disorder, bilateral leg weakness with foot drop, urinary dysfunction, and weakness of the upper extremities.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including the post-arthroplasty condition, is currently rated at 30 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or extra-schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the unavailability of her service treatment records and the need to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of any left knee disability or left leg disability, including from vein removal.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 3, 1985 for the award of compensation benefits under 1151 for postoperative residuals of left total knee arthroplasty. The claim for secondary service connection for failed back syndrome is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing another VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to January 18, 2010, was rated at 10 percent disabling. Between January 18, 2010 and April 1, 2011, the disability was rated as 100 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5055 (residuals from knee replacement). As of April 1, 2011, the Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability was not manifest in service or to a degree of 10 percent within one year of separation and is unrelated to service.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's back disability and bilateral knee disabilities, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for TDIU, as his combined rating is 40 percent. The VA examiner concluded that he is unable to work due to fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome rather than from his service-connected back and knee strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his right hand, right knee, bilateral hip disabilities, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has reopened the claims for low back disability, bilateral knee disability (right), and bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his service-connected low back disability.