Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's heart murmur, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and allergic rhinitis have been granted service connection. The RO is directed to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the severity of her bilateral knee disabilities and allergic rhinitis, with a focus on summer months for the latter condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling new examinations, and considering all evidence since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The underlying issue of whether service connection is warranted will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including eczema, lumbar spine strain, right and left knee disabilities, and DJD of the shoulders, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran has experienced intermittent, recurrent gastroenteritis since service and his left knee disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis was aggravated during active duty for training (ACDUTRA), and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU rating was granted effective from October 10, 2006 due to service-connected heart disease. The Board found that the evidence did not establish he was unemployed and unemployable prior to this date.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to various disabilities, including knee conditions, hip conditions, eye conditions, neurological symptoms, insomnia, and skin conditions. The Board has remanded the case for further action due to a change in the Veteran's residence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, and his claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and left thigh disorders have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left leg disability and an increased rating for major depression. The Veteran's right hip and ankle disabilities are not service-connected, but he is granted TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining treatment records. The issues on appeal are entitlement to increased ratings for left knee and left ankle disabilities and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability originated during service and is granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since June 19, 2005. The rating is based on limitation of motion and instability of the joint.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not sustain material improvement under ordinary conditions of life, and thus denied the reduction from a 30 percent to a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left ankle fracture and right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for the residuals of a right knee arthroscopy with partial medial and lateral meniscectomy, finding that his current disability is due to an injury incurred during active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee and left hamstring disabilities, warranting service connection.