Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability is not directly related to his service and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation counseling records and arranging a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, left knee, and low back disorders are being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence. The case must be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for a VA examination to determine the nature, etiology, severity, and current status of his right knee disorder and low back disorder. The claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic low back disability or left knee disability incurred in service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of a scheduled Board hearing. The case will be returned for scheduling a new hearing at his local RO in Baltimore, MD.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical records, conduct VA examinations, and determine appropriate evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee soft tissue contusion and chondrosis is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including an in-service injury. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of chronic conditions during or following service. The current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and low back disorders are denied as these conditions are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his right foot, knee, and shoulder disabilities. The evidence did not support a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been denied. The Board finds no evidence of a current left knee disorder or right toe disorder, and the Veteran has not provided sufficient medical evidence to establish an in-service event that may be associated with his current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia, secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities is granted. The claims for increased ratings for left and right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis are denied.

The Board has granted initial compensable ratings for chondromalacia of the right and left knees from specific dates, with a final rating of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability and granted it on the merits, finding that new evidence submitted since the last denial shows that his current left knee condition is related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, residuals of nose fracture, bilateral knee disorder, and persistent strep throat disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, TDIU, and right and left knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file for VA to make a decision on the claim. The Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disorders need to be evaluated by an appropriately qualified medical professional.