Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development of his service-connected right knee instability disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The effective date of the award was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records from private physicians. The Veteran's claims will be re-adjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 20 percent since December 13, 2011. The appeal is resolved in the Veteran's favor with a grant of an increased evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee and low back disorders are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral shoulder disorders and left knee disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is found to have its onset during active duty service due to combat noise exposure. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board granted an increased rating of 30 percent for pes anserine bursitis of the left knee, effective from December 23, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The VA determined that the appellant does not have independent living needs and found that the requested items are desirable but not necessary for him to maintain maximum independence in daily living.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee DJD is service connected as it had onset during his military service and continues to persist.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities from June 25, 2008, to the present were denied. The evidence did not show that the Veteran's knee flexion was limited to 45 degrees or extension limited to 10 degrees as required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right knee disorders have been granted at 10 percent each. The appeal is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and left leg disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, its relationship to service and any aggravation by his right knee disability. The TDIU rating issue is also being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed knee disabilities are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and shin splints are not related to his service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.