Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been presented. The acquired psychiatric disorder is now considered secondary to service-connected disability, while the left knee disorder may be related to injuries sustained during service.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity neurological disability and right lateral femoral cutaneous nerve neuropathy do not warrant a compensable or higher rating, respectively.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder, primarily diagnosed as patellofemoral syndrome and strain, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of chronicity since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing and issue a Statement of the Case for his claims of service connection for various conditions.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any right and left knee disabilities, including whether they are related to service exposure to cold weather.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral leg disorders, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disabilities. However, the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right knee injury and found that the Veteran's current right hip bursitis is related to her first period of active duty service. The claim for an increased rating for right hip bursitis remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, and left knee disabilities are not related to his active service. The VA examinations concluded that these conditions were more likely due to post-service occupational activities.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development due to a hearing officer's absence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left knee disability was denied. The RO continued the current 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee arthroplasty with history of laxity, is currently rated at 30 percent since December 1, 2009. The Board denied the claim for a higher rating and also found that he does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's right knee condition is due to his in-service motor vehicle accident, while his headache disorder is attributed to his service-connected cervical strain. His psychiatric disorder is considered an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right knee disability has been dismissed due to his failure to provide necessary identifying information and releases for pertinent identified evidence requested in connection with, and necessary to properly decide, his claim within a year following the date of the request.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including service connection claims and a determination of the impact of all service-connected disabilities on his ability to obtain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder instability were incurred in active service.,The Veteran's left and right knee instability were incurred in active service.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected and non-service-connected conditions, as well as claims for new disabilities. The Board has scheduled a videoconference hearing but the Veteran did not appear. The case is being remanded to reschedule the hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability involving his left knee or low back, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder remains pending.