Knee decisions — 2013

The Board has requested additional development to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left knee, right knee, and low back disorders. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to October 1, 2012 have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and updating treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, and denied service connection for his right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability is not etiologically related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and folliculitis, as well as his claim of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is also granted an increased rating for his left knee disorder and a compensable rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's bilateral hip, knee, and left ankle disabilities were not found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine and thoracic spine disability.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disorder and TDIU claim, as well as to obtain relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability within the meaning of VA regulations.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service for the claimed conditions, including bilateral knee disability, bilateral shin splints, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for left knee medial meniscal tear and grade III chondromalacia is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a more contemporaneous VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome, right knee. Outstanding VA treatment records must also be obtained.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claims for hepatitis C and left knee disorder. The psychiatric disorder claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and conducting further development of the claims.

The Board has ordered a remand to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his right knee disability, including whether there is any relationship between complaints of knee giving way and lateral instability or recurrent subluxation. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS was found to be related to his active service. The Board granted service connection for this condition and remanded the remaining issues of right shoulder, left knee, and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which is secondary to his service-connected left knee condition, resulted in a temporary total rating for convalescence from September 24, 2006 to December 18, 2006. The Veteran's left knee disability does not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 10 percent.

The Veteran's current left knee disability is not service-connected as it was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty, and there is no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and any period of ACDUTRA. The claim for GERD secondary to laryngeal cancer is pending.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for diabetes, diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy, and bilateral hip and knee strains were denied. The Board found that the criteria for a 40 percent rating under DC 7913 (for type II diabetes mellitus) have not been met.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder to his military service and denied his claim.