Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability associated with hematuria, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The claims for right knee disorder and bilateral shoulder disorder are remanded for further examination to determine their etiology. The initial compensable evaluation for deviated nasal septum with allergic rhinitis is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for another Travel Board hearing due to the inability to produce a transcript of his previous hearing.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent and the Board finds that an evaluation in excess of this rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for another examination to determine the etiology of his current condition, which may be related to in-service motor vehicle accident and physical duties.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as an increased rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability. The evidence did not support a finding that any current knee disability was related to service or aggravated by another service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left knee and bilateral leg disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to higher disability ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease, left knee and right knee conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to September 30, 2008 and from September 30, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee and lumbar spine disorders are not related to service, with no aggravation during service. The pre-existing conditions were presumed to be sound at entry into service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability had its onset in service and has persisted continuously since, warranting service connection. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee disorder, including arthritis and exostosis of the lateral facet patella. A separate compensable rating (10%) was also granted for the exostosis of the lateral facet patella.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all three issues, including service connection for a bilateral knee condition, an increased rating for diffuse spondylosis of the thoracic spine with straightening and moderate spondylosis of the cervical spine greater than 10 percent, and a compensable rating for residual scar from calcaneus fracture repair on his right foot.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence did not show any specific injuries or diagnoses during service, and the VA examiner opined that the disabilities were more likely due to post-service incidents.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not worsen during service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the denial of service connection for right ear hearing loss due to withdrawal by the appellant. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the right knee is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the issues on appeal should be remanded for further development, including clarification of the characterization of the claims and obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee and low back disorders.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome, joint pain in various joints, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee are all found to be related to his service in the Gulf War. The claims for these conditions are granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and correction of VCAA notice.

The Veteran's clothing allowance claim is inextricably intertwined with his service connection claims for low back and knee disabilities. The case is REMANDED to the VAMC in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his claim for an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.