Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease, is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating assigned for postoperative residuals of a lateral collateral ligament tear of the right knee with DJD was found to be appropriate, but his secondary service connection claims were not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's left knee and hip disabilities were evaluated, with the left knee receiving a separate evaluation for instability. The lumbar spine disability was not granted an increased rating prior to October 27, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and adjudicative action due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee and back disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of sarcoidosis, left knee retropatellar syndrome, left mid-femur scar, and exostosis (bone spur) of the left mid-femur. The decision also noted that the Veteran's sarcoidosis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral ankle condition as these conditions were not shown to be related to the Veteran's active duty or his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's left leg disability, including degenerative joint disease of the left knee with embedded shrapnel and scars, was granted service connection. However, a rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of flexion is not warranted prior to July 23, 2009, while a separate 10 percent rating is warranted since October 1, 2009, for limitation of extension.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left knee disability due to new evidence suggesting it may be related to his right knee condition. However, de novo review finds no current diagnosis or pathology in the left knee.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the left knee and residuals of a shell fragment wound of the back are being remanded due to incomplete development. A new VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a shell fragment wound, right leg, Muscle Group XII was denied. The RO assigned the maximum available rating (30%) based on the severity of his muscle injury and neurological manifestations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow the VA to schedule him for a videoconference hearing. The claims of service connection for right and left knee disorders are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is service-connected. The remaining claims for right hip and right knee disabilities, as well as tinnitus, are denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination of his right knee.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his left knee disability. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and for further medical examinations regarding his left knee disability and respiratory disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's ex-wife and her brother, which must be considered in readjudicating his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation training was denied because he left his previous employment due to economic reasons, not due to worsening service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support the need for further rehabilitation.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is manifested by extension limited to 10 degrees, with consideration for pain, fatigue, weakness, lack of endurance, and/or instability. Additionally, the Veteran experiences moderate recurrent subluxation of the left knee. Accordingly, an increased rating of 20 percent effective from September 28, 2010 is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right wrist disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a current disorder related to his active military service.