Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his current left and right knee disabilities are related to service or secondary to his already service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral vascular disease with above left knee amputation, claimed as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The decision is based on a finding that there is no evidence warranting such service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation and determination regarding the provision of additional payment for woodworking tools under a Department of Veterans Affairs independent living services program.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any cellulitis of the right knee, low back disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The RO will also obtain all relevant medical records.

The Board found no evidence of a direct link between the Veteran's current knee disorders and his active service, concluding that any current conditions are more likely due to normal aging and occupational history.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have any current disabilities of the right thigh, knee, foot, or leg length. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records, private medical records, and an examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination reports and conflicting information regarding the Veteran's desire for a hearing. The initial disability rating claim remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorders are not service connected, and the Board finds that they are not secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The claim for increased rating of residuals of right ankle bimalleolar fractures is denied.

The Veteran's service connection for migraine headaches has been granted. The issue of an initial evaluation of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the left knee prior to January 19, 2011 is pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issues of service connection for an enlarged prostate, to include as due to herbicide exposure, and service connection for a left knee disorder. As such, there are no remaining issues on appeal.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left knee arthritis have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the current manifestations of the disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various disabilities and to reopen a claim for his bilateral eye disorder have been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran is permanently and totally disabled for VA pension purposes based on his SSI disability determination.

The Veteran's asthma and bilateral knee disability claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including the provision of VA examinations and the addition of up-to-date VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right knee pain is considered a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness due to service in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War, and thus warrants service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, left knee degenerative joint disease, and lateral epicondylitis of the left elbow were not found to be service-connected or warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, both individually and as a whole, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability and finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim. The Veteran is now entitled to a merits analysis on his claim.