Knee decisions — 2012

The Board found that the additional evidence presented since the December 1997 rating decision is not new and material, as it does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for residuals of a left knee injury. The claim was therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his inability to attend the scheduled hearing. His claims for service connection remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by his military service. The appeal is now resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing at the RO due to his withdrawal of previous requests for a Travel Board hearing and request for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and increased rating for left knee disability are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of the left hip disability was granted, with a final effective date of July 25, 2011. The Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder is considered to be secondary to her left hip disability.

The Veteran's left knee instability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher evaluation of 30 percent is warranted based on objective evidence of degenerative joint disease and subjective complaints of instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee and right knee disorders are as likely as not related to an injury during his National Guard service in July 1965, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for his left knee disability, as it was not manifested by ankylosis or impairment of the elbow resulting in limitation of pronation or bone fusion. For his major depressive disorder, he did not meet the criteria for total social impairment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure during service, and grants service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right knee and leg disorder to include osteoporosis remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle and left knee disorders are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is no longer valid as he has passed away.

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

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disabilities, including ACL reconstruction and arthritis. The rating assigned will be determined based on the findings from this examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection claim for a left knee disability will be reconsidered.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral knee disorder that he claims is secondary to his service-connected back disorder, and also seeks TDIU. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities require additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, diabetes (claimed as borderline diabetes), neuropathy of the hands and upper extremities, neuropathy of the feet and lower extremities, and glaucoma were denied. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.