Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the RO had not provided adequate development and remanded the case to obtain additional records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder is not causally or etiologically related to his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorders, as well as his secondary service connection claims. The back disability was not found to be related to a right elbow disability, nor were any of the other claimed disabilities found to be related to or aggravated by the right elbow disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including chondromalacia patella and a loose body, was not caused by VA carelessness or negligence. However, the additional disability is due to an event not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a separate compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5259, finding that his symptoms are already compensated in the current ratings assigned for post-traumatic arthritis and residuals of right knee injury with lateral meniscectomy.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the payment of $172.80 in attorney fees from past-due benefits is proper based on the award of service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection, finding that his preexisting torn medial meniscus in the left knee did not become aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle strain, DJD of the left knee previously tendonitis, postoperative (P/O), DJD of the right knee previously tendonitis, postoperative (P/O), and DJD of the right knee with limited extension are all rated at 10 percent. The cervical spine DDD and DJD is rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's bowel, bladder, nerve damage, spinal cord damage with residual low back disability, hip, knee, erectile dysfunction, immunity disorder, and spleen disabilities are not related to his military service or service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders were not etiologically linked to his active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability and determined that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected right knee disability.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee condition, diagnosed as retropatellar chondromalacia, is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right knee disability have been denied as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, which were necessary to properly adjudicate these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder and vaginitis are not related to service, with the preponderance of evidence showing no chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and ensuring that all reasonable efforts are made to accommodate the Veteran's incarcerated status.