Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for bursitis of the right knee, left knee, and residuals of a right hip injury were denied. The claim for an increased rating for low back injuries prior to July 21, 2010, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter was also denied.

The Veteran had a below the knee amputation of his right leg that is related to cold injuries incurred during service.,The Veteran has residuals of a cold injury, which are also related to cold injuries incurred during service.

The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis of both knees, but his range of motion testing did not show flexion limited to 30 degrees or less or extension limited to 10 degrees or more.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were addressed in the December 2009 Board decision, with some issues remanded to the RO/AMC. The initial compensable rating for a right knee surgical scar residual has been granted, and an increased rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease was assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for a medical evaluation and opinion regarding the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities, including their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Bell's palsy is service-connected, as there was an in-service episode and a current disability linked by medical evidence. The issues regarding the left knee and right hip are not addressed due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be causally related to fear of hostile military activity during service. The right knee and right elbow disabilities are not determined to be directly related to service, but may be secondary to a service-connected back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The right knee and left knee disabilities were granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to noise during active duty in Southwest Asia. Service connection was not established for the thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the right knee was denied as his initial claim dated February 26, 1990 was invalid due to lack of signature. The most recent formal claim was received on October 31, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacy of a previous VA examination and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete examination reports and failure to address certain evidence. The case is now pending further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for low back strain with degenerative disc disease, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran was not granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of any such conditions during service. The Board finds the negative record during service to be more probative than the Veteran's assertions.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, gout (claimed as osteoarthritis), and asthma. The Veteran's right knee condition was found to be related to the natural progression of pre-existing pathology.,Gout did not develop during active service and is considered unrelated to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his left knee disability was denied. The issue regarding the reopening of a hearing loss claim was not adjudicated as it was referred to the RO.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for left ankle and left knee disorders, obesity, and whether there is new and material evidence to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus. The derivative TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with these other claims.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his left knee disability was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to December 6, 2010 and from December 6, 2010.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a low back disorder or bilateral knee disorder that is related to his active service. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.