Knee decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative joint disease of the right knee and instability of the right knee, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, and thus the case is being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional medical examination and opinion are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and low back disability. The claims will be remanded to allow for this development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and needs a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right and left knee disorders.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by limitation of motion and instability, has been rated at 20 percent since May 28, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his thoracic kyphosis and additional development is needed for other issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and opinions from VA examiners.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left knee injury, low back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome (RLS), and sinusitis. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are not related to military service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling since July 14, 2009. The VA has determined that the current ratings are not in accordance with the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for osteoarthritis of the right knee with meniscus tear status post medial meniscectomy is granted, and his service-connected right knee scar remains at a 10 percent evaluation. The April 1995 decision granting service connection for right ulnar neuropathy and a right elbow disability is found to contain clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Veteran's service connection claims for the residuals of a right total knee arthroplasty, right leg injury, and left TKA were denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions in service or within one year post-service.,There was also no medical nexus provided between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination for his right knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by post-traumatic arthritis and instability, is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board denied a higher rating for the period prior to March 7, 2008, and since May 1, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issues of increased evaluations for PTSD, right knee and lumbar spine disabilities. The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right knee disorder, which he claims was caused by an in-service injury. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and possibly conduct a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and right hip disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the previous denials. The Board finds that these conditions are related to an in-service injury during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for transfer of the claims file to an appropriate RO in California and scheduling a Video Conference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to unclear nature of his lumbar spine disability, incomplete Reserve service records, and need for further examination regarding left arm and knee conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee condition did not originate in service and denied his claim for service connection. The right ankle disorder claim was also denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted since a previous final denial.