Knee decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral knee disability and thus, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim is currently on appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected left knee arthritis.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee instability, which developed after a total knee arthroplasty performed at the VA Medical Center in March 2003, is not considered to be caused by any fault on the part of VA. The risk of instability following TKA was acknowledged and explained prior to the procedure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is not related to her active military service and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for total right and left knee replacements due to osteoarthritis are being remanded as additional STRs need to be located, and the VA examiner's opinion needs clarification.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the periods specified.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee, left ankle, left knee, and left foot disabilities did not have onset in service or within one year of discharge. The claims were denied as there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis and for a TDIU rating prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence, specifically preoperative x-rays of the Veteran's left knee. The case is being returned to the RO for this purpose.

The Veteran's varicose veins of the right lower extremity, back disability, and right knee disability are found to be related to his service-connected left ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which was previously rated at 100 percent due to the surgery and then reduced to 30 percent after a year, is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board found that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his right knee disorder and breathing disorder. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current status of his ankle, shoulder, and knee disabilities and whether they are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disorders are causally related to his service, including an in-service motor vehicle accident. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by pain, swelling, and locking, has been rated at 20 percent since December 1, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cardiomyopathy with coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, posttraumatic stress disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, hypertension, and diabetic retinopathy, are being reviewed to determine if they render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.