Knee decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and right knee disorders are not related to service or service-connected conditions, and denied claims for service connection on a secondary basis.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back, left knee, and left ankle disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including residuals of a skeletal injury to include the low back, shoulders and neck, bilateral knee disabilities, and mild symphysis of the pelvis, did not have onset during or as a result of service. The evidence does not establish continuity of symptomatology for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee and left hip disabilities due to incomplete SSA records, need for a supplemental medical opinion regarding aggravation of current disabilities by service-connected right knee disability, and other procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected back disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, or left knee disorder (secondary to his service-connected right knee disability). The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records from the James Haley VA Medical Center. The examiner will assess the current severity of his right knee disability and provide an opinion on whether his left knee disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's dental condition is not service-connected as it does not meet the criteria for VA outpatient treatment.,The Veteran's left knee disorder was incurred in service and is service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for shrapnel wounds to the right knee and left side of the chin, finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between any of these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for sleep apnea, throat surgery residuals, and left knee disability prior to June 15, 2009 were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are reopened, but the Board is unable to grant any of his pending claims due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty. The VA examination and treatment records do not support a link between his current left knee condition and service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability and finds that new and material evidence has been received. However, the right knee disability is not related to service.

The Board found the Veteran's left knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his range of motion was from 0 degrees on extension to 85 degrees on flexion with no limitation of extension.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disorder and a higher rating for his right knee DJD, status post femur fracture. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis, post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA), has been rated at 30 percent since October 1, 2011. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen any of the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for psychiatric disorder, back disorder, stomach disorder, and bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability was manifested by painful motion from June 30, 2005 to November 17, 2008 and a 10 percent rating was granted.