Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were not timely filed, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board found no evidence linking the current left hip and left knee disorders to service, including any inservice injury. The Veteran's statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service were not credible given the lack of medical records documenting such symptoms during or shortly after service.

The Veteran's left knee internal derangement with traumatic arthritis and loose bodies is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum allowable rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260-5261. The claim for an increased rating has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for scars of the right knee and right elbow, as well as his residuals of injuries of the knees, lower legs, elbows, and forearms other than those scars, are both granted. However, his claim for arthritis of the knees and elbows is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective March 20, 2006. The effective date for the bilateral hearing loss service connection was determined to be September 23, 1999.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left femur fracture with marked left knee disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the length of his lower extremities and potential application of Diagnostic Codes 5256 and 5275.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral leg disability and concluded that the Veteran's currently diagnosed conditions are not related to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of either a right or left knee disorder, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions. The Board also found that any pre-existing condition was not aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's current symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for the initial increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome, right knee and chronic allergic rhinitis as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and seeks to reopen previously denied claims. The case is being remanded for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndromes have been rated as 0% (noncompensable) since September 2006. The Board found no evidence of instability, arthritis, or other conditions that would warrant a higher rating.

Service connection for a right knee disorder and compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability of the right knee were denied, but service connection was granted for left carpal tunnel syndrome.,PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings on gastroesophageal reflux disease, left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella and infrapatellar tendon septic necrosis, and scar of the left knee were remanded due to procedural issues. The right thyroid nodule claim was also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disability is attributable to an injury sustained during active duty for training or inactive duty training, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the appeal for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of lumbar strain and left knee degenerative joint disease are pending.