Knee decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any service-connected disabilities, and therefore cannot establish service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee replacement disability is productive of chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion and weakness following implantation, warranting a rating of 60 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities prior to December 16, 2008 were denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, and his left knee disability received a 10 percent evaluation. The hearing loss claim is not part of the current appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability and finds that new and material evidence has been submitted. The issue of whether service connection is warranted will be addressed on its merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee tendonitis are related to her military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying the Veteran's Reserve service dates. The Veteran is to be provided a VA examination to determine if her current left knee disability is related to active duty or Reserve service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle, bilateral knee, and shoulder disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's combined disability rating has been increased to 80 percent, and several original service connection claims are pending. The TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination considering all of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current migraine headaches and right knee impairment were not incurred or aggravated by her military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from specific dates and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his claim for sores on both sides of the feet. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen all other claims.

The Veteran's left knee disability is manifested by chronic pain, decreased range of motion, and mild instability. The Board has determined that the criteria are met for a higher 60 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA records since November 2009 and ensuring VA's duty to assist. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, right leg, and low back disorders are not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions. As such, he does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the appellant did not have a left knee disability related to service and denied his claim for service connection. The TDIU claim was also denied as there were no service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a bilateral knee disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have a verified non-combat stressor in service on which to base a diagnosis of PTSD. Osteoarthritis of the knees was also found not related to service.