Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records. The issue of an increased evaluation for his right knee disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an orthopedic examination. The matter of a temporary total rating based on convalescence following left knee arthroplasty is also inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board found no evidence of chronic right and left knee disabilities, thus denying the Veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions. The initial increased rating appeals for tibia disabilities were also denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, as well as to address whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hip disability and an increased rating for his postoperative residuals of right knee injury. The claim for hearing loss remains unresolved.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal seeking to reopen a claim of service connection for a right knee disability, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board found that a chronic left knee disability, including DJD, was not present during active service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year after service discharge. Therefore, the Veteran's current left knee disability is not considered incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are not related to his service-connected traumatic amputation of the left forefoot, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg/knee disability and chronic headaches to include migraines are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and an income verification form. The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension is being reviewed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right hip, left hip, right knee scars, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The effective date is November 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disorders are not related to his service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions began in or are otherwise linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the knees is related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted. However, service connection for patellofemoral syndrome is not established.

The Board has restored the original disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen previously denied claims for bilateral ankle disabilities are addressed, but no specific rating or decision is provided as these issues are considered 'mixed'.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a bilateral knee disability, low back strain, and neck disability. However, further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The case is being remanded for additional development of the Veteran's claims, including review of records from 'B' Clinic and VA treatment records from October 2009 to January 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. The decision is based on a finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.