Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, residuals of head injury (including memory loss), left shoulder disability, nerve disability, and bilateral knee disability were denied as the evidence did not establish a direct relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have lateral instability or recurrent subluxation of his right knee, and therefore, a separate compensable disability rating for right knee instability is denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and right knee disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The TDIU claim will also be considered in conjunction with the increased rating claims.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence of current left or right knee disabilities, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee strain is not related to his in-service right quadriceps contusion or service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and to provide the Veteran with an examination to determine the etiology of his left foot disability. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for her right knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development and medical inquiry.

The Veteran's PTSD, thoracic disc space narrowing, loss of left superior pectoralis muscle, and other service-connected conditions have been granted increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not related to his military service, including parachute jumps. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an addendum medical opinion clarifying whether his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities were denied. The RO continued the previously assigned disability ratings and granted service connection for DJD of the right knee.

The Board granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for each knee, effective February 11, 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability and left leg disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

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

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including pes planus and osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, are rated at 10 percent each. The Board has determined that a combined rating of 20 percent is warranted for both knees.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder. The Veteran now asserts that he experiences left knee problems as a result of his service-connected right knee and right ankle disorders, which would allow for secondary service connection.