Knee decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee are not service-connected as they are not related to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral arthritis of the right knee is rated at 10 percent, and he was granted a separate 10 percent rating for pseudolaxity of the right knee. The Board found that his bilateral hip disorder and low back disorder are not service connected.

The Board has determined that a disability rating of 30 percent is warranted for the Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease with chondromalacia of the femoral condyles, effective July 19, 2011.

The Veteran's right knee disability resulted in a separate compensable rating for limitation of flexion, but his claim for service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to a service-connected disorder was denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, coronary artery disease, and hypertension are denied as a matter of law due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with mild degenerative changes is granted at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in an impairment of his ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes and interests.

The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for his right knee disorder and service connection for low back and peripheral neuropathy. The case has been remanded to obtain updated medical examinations and opinions regarding the severity of his right knee disorder, as well as whether any diagnosed low back or peripheral neuropathy are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and further development of the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from 1986-1987 and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's skin disorder (claimed as jungle rot of the feet) is not service-connected, and his scars are service-connected but do not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease was diagnosed within the first post-service year following his second period of active duty. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private medical records related to his back disability and knee disabilities. He also needs a VA examination of his spine and left knee.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and ensuring that all relevant evidence has been considered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's right knee and back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disability, increased evaluations for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and an increased evaluation for bilateral pes planus were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support granting these claims.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, which was dismissed by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence was against a finding that any claimed conditions had their onset in or were related to service.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the Veteran's knee disabilities and stress fractures of her femurs and metatarsal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and right ankle disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.