Knee decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed knee disabilities are not related to his active military service and have therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the claim for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for service-connected residuals of a right knee replacement.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for her right carpal tunnel syndrome, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability have been denied. The initial rating for the right knee instability has also been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or any incident therein.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his service-connected left total knee arthroplasty and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not shown to be related to service, and the Board finds no current disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, including osteoarthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to any incident during service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and determine if his current knee and left foot disabilities are related to service. The Veteran is advised that any outstanding treatment records should be submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records and provide a new VA examination regarding his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the submission of new VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the Board after consideration of these records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing. The Veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for chondromalacia of bilateral knees remains pending.

The Veteran's residuals of a left knee replacement are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent, as his symptoms include severe painful motion and weakness.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further development and re-adjudication in accordance with the directives of the September 2012 Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMPR).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine whether any current right knee disability is related to service. The psychiatric claim will also be examined for proper service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, characterized by flexion to no less than 120 degrees and extension to no greater than 5 degrees, has been rated at 20 percent since August 8, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since December 4, 2003.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, PTSD, hemorrhoids, bilateral knee condition, headache disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, these claims have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between any current disabilities and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death from multiple myeloma, which was not shown in service or within a presumptive period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a heart disability, claimed as chest pains. The evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during or after active service.