Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected knee disabilities and for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development and consideration, including obtaining relevant medical records and service personnel records.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 5261 for limitation of flexion. The right broncogenic cyst excision residuals are not compensable.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple service connection claims and a challenge to the validity of an overpayment of VA benefits. The Board is remanding the case for further development, including adjudicating whether the underlying debt was validly created.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the service-connected right knee disability, effective from the date of the decision. The rating is based on limitation of flexion and instability.

The Board has granted service connection for lupus and the associated hip, shoulder, and joint conditions. The Veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain is rated at 40 percent from October 18, 1997.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed right knee disorder (iliotibial band syndrome) is not related to his period of service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, an initial rating greater than 30 percent for status-post liver transplant with hepatitis C, and earlier effective dates for scar residuals of a liver transplant. The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities in January 2009 but did not request earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's left knee strain with degenerative changes and left knee instability are currently rated at 20 percent, effective June 21, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities do not warrant a disability rating higher than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or degenerative arthritis in either knee joint.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral knee and ankle disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show any complaints or treatment for these conditions during service, and there is no medical opinion linking them to service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disability and an increased evaluation for his right knee disability. The case is being remanded to obtain updated treatment records, schedule the Veteran for examinations, and determine if his current conditions are related to military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims can be decided, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. The Veteran will also need to undergo additional examinations for his right knee disability and adjustment disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability (bronchitis) is not related to service, but reopened her claims for lumbosacral spine and bilateral knee disabilities due to new evidence. The claim for bilateral foot disability was also reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as his request for a TDIU. The issues of reduction in rating were found to have been properly processed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities of arthritis of the bilateral knees and ankles, and a herniated disc of the lumbar spine are not related to his period of active military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including associating the Veteran's clinical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.