Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran does not have a disorder manifested by recurrent fevers and night sweats, a right knee disability, or a right ankle disability that was caused by his service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability prior to January 28, 2011 and from January 28, 2011 to March 24, 2011 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of motion or ankylosis warranting a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral arthrosis have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent effective February 8, 2013 for the right knee and December 10, 2010 for the left knee.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to active service and has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination findings and opinion, requiring further development including a VA orthopedic examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities did not have onset in service or were caused by his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee disabilities are service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection. His PTSD has been rated at 10 percent, as there is no evidence of more than occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, as the Veteran and his representative withdrew this claim. The remaining issues of service connection for gout, skin disorders, left knee disorder, erectile dysfunction, and high cholesterol have been denied due to lack of evidence of an underlying disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 20 percent since December 2008. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination of the bilateral knees and an opinion on whether his right knee condition is secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities did not have their onset in service or due to a service-connected disability, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development of the claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder was not shown to be related to his active service and denied the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that it was incurred in or related to active service.,Service connection was granted for left knee arthritis, with the benefit of doubt given to the Veteran.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disorders, but these claims are ultimately denied as the evidence does not establish a direct or secondary relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA opinion on whether his service-connected disabilities are sufficient in combination to preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been granted, with a 30 percent disability rating assigned for his service-connected right knee arthritis effective from February 11, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining records of his treatment following the August 2012 surgery and arranging for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his left knee disability and when convalescence was required.