Knee decisions — 2013

The Board found that rheumatoid arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim. The Veteran's current knee disabilities are related to her pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's DJD of the left and right knees has worsened, reflecting moderate degenerative changes manifested by chronic pain, periodic swelling, stiffness, locking episodes, bilateral knee crepitus, effusion, and x-ray findings consistent with significant medial compartment narrowing. The Board finds that a 20 percent rating is warranted for each knee since February 22, 2008.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, including whether it is related to his active service. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of in-service treatment records from U.S. Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and obtain outstanding VA medical records.

The VA determined that the appellant's right knee did not exhibit flexion limited to 15 degrees, extension limited to 20 degrees, instability, or a painful scar during the period on appeal. As such, their claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right knee disorder that is secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder. The case has been remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection for a left knee disorder due to undiagnosed illness is granted, and he is assigned a 10 percent initial rating for his left ankle fracture.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection for headaches, radiculopathy, neuropathy, right knee disability, bilateral ankle and hip disabilities, arthritis (bilateral toes), skin disability, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and headaches was granted. The Veteran is currently rated 30% for his service-connected headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities have been denied. The VA has not found any evidence of service connection or exposure to specific environmental factors that could support a different rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to consider VA treatment records from the Amarillo VAMC, and the case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain relevant medical records. The issues of increased ratings for his service-connected knee and thigh conditions are the focus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left ankle, low back, and knee disabilities were not found to meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right wrist disorder and left knee disorder due to incomplete examination reports, lack of consideration of certain service records, and need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be returned to the RO/AMC for further development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service exposure to loud noise. Service connection for right hip, knee, and ankle disabilities is granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including torn medial meniscus and degenerative arthritis, warrants a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis and a separate 20 percent rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage. The current evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the torn medial meniscus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and knee disorders are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of any chronic or persistent disability in these areas during or immediately following service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a low back disability, bilateral hip disability, right knee disability, and right leg disability, all secondary to his service-connected right foot disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of direct service connection or aggravation by service-connected conditions.