Knee decisions — 2013

The Board found no evidence of a torn meniscus or chronic right knee disorder, cholecystitis, chrondromalacia, lipoma on the right shoulder, cervical spine disorder, tendonitis of the feet, or DeQuervain's tendonitis of the left hand that were incurred in service. The Veteran did not provide credible lay assertions linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, including chondromalacia patella, was incurred in service and is not due to a preexisting condition.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on the severity of their symptoms and functional impairment, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right knee disorder with intraarticular loose bodies is rated at 20 percent, while his left knee disorder does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability is not attributable to service and arthritis was not shown within the initial post separation year, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of Department of Veterans Affairs treatment for a left knee condition.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as left and right hip disorders and a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's pre-existing Osgood-Schlatter Disease of the knees was found to have existed prior to service and not aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disabilities are not related to service and have denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, arrange for VA examinations, and adjudicate the remaining claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current left knee and back disorders, as well as an evaluation of his service-connected collapsed arch of the left foot. The earlier effective date issue related to TDIU will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disorders of the lumbar spine, bilateral knees, and bilateral hips are in part proximately caused by and aggravated by his service-connected left Achilles tendonitis. The VHA specialist concluded that these conditions were related to the altered gait resulting from the left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records, as well as further development of his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal is not about service connection and thus does not address any of his claims for service connection. The case must be remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a Travel Board hearing before a third Veterans Law Judge at his local RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are not related to his military service.,VA examinations have consistently found no evidence of a knee disability during service, and the current diagnoses do not link these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The claim for a low back disorder secondary to the bilateral knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee were denied. The Board found that prior to November 4, 2010, the disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent and from November 4, 2010, it did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's initial claim of service connection for right knee DJD was granted, and a 10 percent rating was assigned. In February 2013, the VA increased his rating to 20 percent effective November 15, 2012.