Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent from December 23, 2004, to February 21, 2005. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left wrist and left knee strains are not related to his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and updating records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU is currently pending.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder.,There is no evidence of a right foot disorder related to military service or a service connected disability. The Veteran's right ankle disorder was also examined and not diagnosed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and gastrointestinal disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased disability ratings and service connection claims. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records, scheduling VA examinations, and ensuring the examination reports comply with the directives of this remand.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for sarcoidosis and insect bites during a June 2012 Board hearing. The remaining issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for Osgood-Schlatter disease of the right knee, status post surgery, with residual scar and osteoarthritis is being remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received, allowing the Veteran's claim of secondary service connection for a right knee disorder to be reopened. The July 2011 VA examination report established a nexus between the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the right knee and his service-connected left ankle lateral instability with history of multiple sprains.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a new VA examination for his service-connected left knee and hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that would support the claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression was also denied.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each. The VA examiner found no limitation of extension, but noted pain during range of motion testing for both knees. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any other diagnostic codes.

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

The Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for residuals of a right foot stress fracture, residuals of a right ankle stress fracture, residuals of a right knee stress fracture, and residuals of a left femur stress fracture are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees. However, these claims are being remanded to allow for further development including a VA examination to determine if there is a link between his current knee conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's left knee condition is rated at 10 percent, but the VA examiner found no instability or limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 10 percent and the VA examiner found no instability or limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and TDIU were denied. The RO continued the current disability ratings for his right knee disorder, left knee arthritis, and service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no right knee disability and denied service connection for a right shoulder disability. The left knee disability was diagnosed but not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his claim for service connection for arthritis of the left knee, which may be related to his service-connected gout disability or right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right knee arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.