Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred during his private hospitalization from November 19, 2008 to November 20, 2008 is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current right wrist, left wrist, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities are not causally related to his service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder and left knee have been remanded due to new evidence submitted after a previous denial, and additional development is needed including obtaining VA treatment records, SSA records, and an opinion regarding aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder, including arthritis, was incurred in service and is related to his military duties as a lineman. The Veteran also has PTSD which he contends was caused by his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. Without an examination, the Board cannot determine if the claimed conditions are related to service or secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions, complete the necessary development of his claims, and provide him with a new examination.

The Board granted service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, as well as bilateral varicose veins. Service connection was denied for a right ankle disability, varicose veins of the lower extremities (except for the knees), and a left hand disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected heart disability, right knee DJD, left knee DJD, and lumbar spine degenerative changes were denied. The Veteran was not granted any higher ratings than the current 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability was granted, and a 10 percent evaluation was assigned for the period prior to June 4, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities of the knees, ankles, shoulders and hands as they are not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and hypertension, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during active duty or within one year after separation from active duty. The Board also found no evidence of chronicity of symptoms post-service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection to the RO/AMC for additional development due to incomplete records and unavailability of certain medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity disability, including right and left great toe fractures, left and right knee arthritis, and any diagnosed disorder accounting for pain, weakness, burning, and/or numbness is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the October 2011 remand and has therefore ordered further development of the case.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and service connection for a left knee disorder and cervical spine disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by new and material evidence, and his conditions are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues are seeking increased ratings for stress reactions of the left and right knees with arthritis.

The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disability or arthritis that is related to service. The Veteran's initial treatment for a right knee injury in service did not result in any further treatment records, and there was no indication of ongoing symptoms post-service.

The Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound of the left foot and ankle with traumatic arthritis and scars, as well as his left knee disability, are rated at 30 percent. The Board granted these ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee degenerative changes is likely due to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary to the left knee disability.