Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are found to be related to his service, while his PTSD is linked to combat experiences during service. Service connection for all three conditions is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current condition is causally related to her active military service. The left knee disorder claim was withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability and found no evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The Board concurs.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims, including for chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia, left hand arthritis, right knee disorder, mid-and-low-back disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and skin disorder. The appeals are remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide VCAA notice, and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the left knee and his active service, including a fall from a ladder while on board the U.S.S. Enterprise.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Board finds that he is not entitled to an increased rating.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral knee disorders, claimed as secondary to his service-connected back disorder. The case is remanded for additional development including a VA examination and consideration of the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine disorder and left knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right knee strain with degenerative narrowing of the medial compartment has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal from the appeal process.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service and his now service-connected lumbar scoliosis, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hip disorder, status post hip replacement, is not related to his service-connected left knee arthritis and right foot pes planus. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in November 2011.

The Veteran's claim for pension benefits is denied as he does not meet the criteria for permanent and total disability due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral knee disability causally related to service or service-connected psoriasis, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and low back strain.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right knee chondromalacia patella and left knee chondromalacia patella are rated at 10 percent each. The Veteran's left ankle sprain is also rated at 10 percent. No higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is rated at 10 percent, and his right finger disorders are not entitled to a compensable rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of left knee, right knee, and left hand scar. The remaining issues were not addressed due to withdrawal.