Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing at the appropriate RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining medical records, scheduling VA examinations, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or chronic disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the right knee disability is aggravated by service-connected conditions and for consideration of new evidence in the claim for increased rating for flat feet.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete VA treatment records from January 2006 to September 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disability were denied. The RO assigned a 40 percent rating effective June 6, 2012.

The Veteran's internal derangement of the left knee is rated at 20 percent, and his arthritis is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether her service-connected disabilities render her unable to work.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is presumed to have been incurred in service as it manifested within one year of discharge. The Board finds that the Veteran's right hip disorder may be secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional VA treatment records and for further development before deciding whether new evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection of a left knee disability.

The Veteran's osteochondroma of the right distal femur results in symptoms including pain, stiffness, weakness, fatigue, and instability. The Board has determined that a schedular rating of 10 percent is appropriate but an extraschedular evaluation of 20 percent is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee and right ankle conditions, urinary condition, and stomach condition are related to his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War. The claims for increased rating have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his increased rating claim for left knee degenerative joint disease, and consideration of his TDIU claim in light of this determination.

The Board has vacated its decision on the claims to reopen service connection for various knee and spine disabilities, as well as chronic venous insufficiency of the lower extremities. The new evidence presented since previous decisions relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for further development on the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. He is now entitled to VA benefits for his right wrist tendonitis, epistaxis, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for neck, back, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA medical records and providing an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, left shoulder, and left knee disabilities are likely related to his military service. The evidence supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability did not have its onset in active service and is not related to events in active service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee condition, as well as to address the discrepancy in audiometric test results during service. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be readjudicated following any additional development.