Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying service dates and obtaining medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a 10 percent rating effective June 28, 2011. The compensable evaluation for the status post left inguinal herniorraphy remains unchanged.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees did not originate in service or for many years thereafter, is not related to any incident of service, and is not a result of a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is attributable to an in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, as well as his respiratory condition. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his left knee disability and hypertension. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is found to be the cause or aggravation of his left lower extremity neuropathy, right knee disability, cervical muscle strain, and carpal tunnel syndromes. Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has also been granted as secondary to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the appeal and it is dismissed.

The Board found no current disability related to the in-service stress fractures and denied service connection for right ankle/tibia, bilateral shin splints, bilateral knee conditions, and bilateral thigh conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been manifested by no more than moderate knee impairment, and the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent are not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient development and the need for a statement of the case on his service connection claim and increase claim. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability will also be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied because there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support his claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of private treatment records.

The Veteran's hepatitis C is found to be related to his active duty service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for his right ankle bursitis or left ankle disorder, nor can it be determined if these conditions are secondary to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right knee bursitis and limitation of extension were evaluated, with the latter receiving a separate evaluation. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent evaluation for limitation of extension on and after February 20, 2010, but his claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee bursitis and prior to that date remains denied.

The Board found no current right knee disability and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and the obtaining of any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by severe instability and ligamentous injury, is rated at 30 percent prior to June 9, 2010. A separate rating of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are not manifested by chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremities, thus preventing an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder, including arthritis and a total knee replacement, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated during active duty. The current condition is considered less likely as caused by or permanently worsened by his service-connected right knee disorder.