Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle, knee, and foot disabilities are related to his period of active service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's death was caused by pancreatic cancer, but the Board finds that his service-connected coronary artery disease substantially contributed to his death. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder and headache disorder are related to her active duty service, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by military service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred in-service.

The Board found that the appellant's left ankle and knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty for training, and thus denied service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to be moderate, with calluses on her heels and first metatarsal areas. The Board determined that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

Service connection is granted for lumbar spine arthritis. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased disability rating for hyperthyroidism has been dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Both conditions are evaluated under the 'direct' service connection theory.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder did not originate in service or until years thereafter, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) medical records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's death cause and accrued benefits claims, including obtaining VA treatment records from January 2008 until his death in February 2008, and providing a VA medical opinion regarding whether the service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and neurologic disabilities, including hip disability, low back disability, peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy of the lower extremities, neck disability, bilateral knee disability, cervical radiculopathy, right thumb sprain residuals, left ankle sprain residuals, and dermatitis have been denied. The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability is not considered to be a proximate cause of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will provide a new opportunity for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and loss of motion associated with the fracture of the patella, is currently rated at 10 percent since October 1, 2012. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5257 or 5258.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an effective date earlier than February 16, 2009 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus and his claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a bilateral knee condition. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle, left ankle, and right knee disorders are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and analysis of her service-connected disabilities, including the nature and etiology of her knee, ankle, foot, and lumbar spine disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing Osgood-Schlatter disease did not aggravate during service, and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for his current left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including strain with Baker's cyst and very early osteoarthritis, is at least as likely due to his in-service injury during active duty. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for GERD and epididymalgia, testalgia, and prostatitis have been granted. The right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent since January 13, 2006, with a higher rating sought. The right knee disability is also rated at 10 percent since January 13, 2006, with a higher rating sought.