Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal was denied for all issues related to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board found that the appellant's diagnosed conditions (moderate bilateral pes planus, exostosis of the right foot, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine) are not related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and shin conditions as well as left hip condition are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims for service connection for arthritis of the hands, arms, legs, and shoulders, water blisters on the hands and feet, loose teeth and calcium knots on the inside of the jaw, injury to the chest, injury to the face with steering wheel fragments, and status post fusion of the cervical spine at C5-6 with osteoarthritis to the left arm. The claims for service connection for COPD/emphysema and knee injuries are reopened.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability required a period of convalescence through December 7, 2008.,There is no evidence of a current right leg disability that is related to active service or a service-connected condition.

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

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic left knee disability and is remanding it for further evidentiary development.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a knot in the groin area was granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain, swollen tonsils, sinus disorder and left shoulder disorder were denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder. The Veteran's left knee condition is considered to be directly related to his active service, but there is no evidence showing onset during service or within one year of separation from service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, but his service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher rating. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in disability ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee or left ankle gout.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and for increased ratings for bilateral plantar warts, finding that there was no evidence of a direct or secondary relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, while his back and knee disabilities are not. The claim for a back disability is denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition within one year after discharge. The claims for left and right knee disabilities are also denied due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disabilities, including retropatellar pain syndrome, anterior knee pain syndrome, and right knee tendonitis, are related to her service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee strain and service connection for a low back disability, as well as TDIU. The issues were remanded multiple times but ultimately remained denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed left knee disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities have been aggravated by his service-connected residuals of SFW to the right buttock. The case is REMANDED for this purpose.