Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's osteoarthritic changes of the left knee resulted in flexion to at least 100 degrees and extension to 10 degrees, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The current disability does not warrant an increase beyond the existing 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to his military service, but a left knee strain was incurred during service and is not due to or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied. The claims of entitlement to higher initial ratings for his right hand scars, left knee conditions, GERD, and thoracic strain are also denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a disorder manifested by left knee pain, which he claims was incurred during active military service. The Board has found the Veteran's account of his injury credible but does not find any claim that left knee symptoms persisted since service is credible.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding that his hearing loss did not meet VA criteria for a disability and thus could not be service-connected.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or an applicable presumption period, and the Veteran's arthritis and thumb injury are not presumed to have been incurred in service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected postoperative right knee meniscectomy and degenerative arthritis are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability. The Board also finds that his cervical spine and bilateral carpel tunnel syndrome are secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee instability did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent throughout the appeal period, as he was already receiving the maximum schedular disability rating for these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current right knee, left knee, or back disabilities related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions. The Veteran's claim for residuals of dental trauma for outpatient dental treatment was also denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his claimed condition and service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and to obtain relevant medical records. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from Hawaii and New Hampshire. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee arthritis, as manifested by X-ray findings of osteoarthritis, pain, swelling, full extension, and limitation of flexion to no less than 80 degrees, does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service, including a single incident where he fell from a truck during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disorders are due to service, while his left knee disorder is a result of his right knee disability. The Veteran's preexisting right knee condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar strain, knee disabilities, and bilateral pes planus were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for VCAA notice regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral wrist and knee disorders did not originate in service or as a result of service, nor may arthritis of either wrist or knee be presumed to have been incurred therein.