Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's left knee arthritis with instability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the rating decision.

The Board found that there is no current disability of a bilateral knee disorder or hypertension, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and osteoarthritis of the right knee were dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence. The issues include an increased rating for PTSD, service connection for bilateral knee disorder, and service connection for a left foot disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current left shoulder and right knee disorders are related to his military service. The claims for service connection will be remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of an examination and obtaining medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, which is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's left foot disability is also secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left eye retinal hole and pterygium was denied due to failure to report for necessary VA examinations.,New evidence received since the January 2005 denial has reopened the claims of service connection for a right knee disability and thoracolumbar spine disability, raising reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain and low back strain, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board denied an effective date prior to August 1, 2005 for the grant of service connection for a right knee disorder as the earliest date that entitlement arose was May 7, 2008.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling appropriate examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee osteoarthritis and hearing loss, do not render him unemployable as he is still capable of performing sedentary work.

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne and right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The claim for keratosis and hyperkeratosis (claimed as dry skin, tunnels in and under skin, wart-like growths on the feet, extra dry hands, and skin cancer) has been reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a new VA examination for left foot disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that his symptoms are manifestations of his service-connected fibromyalgia and thus not separate disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and right knee disorder. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a right inguinal hernia and left knee disorder, but denied these claims on the merits. The Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to his right knee disorder or service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board finds that the Veteran as likely as not developed right knee arthritis during service. The claim for left foot disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to service.