Knee decisions — 2013

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability, effective February 1, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psoriatic arthritis, bilateral hip disability, and right knee disability were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The disabilities are considered to be due to natural progression of the conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is service-connected, but his insomnia and restless leg syndrome are not. The bilateral knee disorder is secondary to a service-connected disability (Baker's cysts).

The Veteran's current right knee osteoarthritis is granted as service connected due to a right knee injury sustained during active duty and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee is rated at 10 percent, which is noncompensable under VA rating criteria. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 30, 2013 and increased to 20 percent on or after that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to evaluate his claimed bilateral hearing loss, bilateral knee disorder, and headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding left and right knee disorders. The claims for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability and hypertension remain denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and information regarding his service-connected conditions, stressor claims, and increased rating claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to active duty or service-connected right tibia and fibula fractures, and thus denied her claim for service connection. The lumbar spine and left hip bursitis issues require further clarification due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is causally or etiologically due to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left knee patellar tendonitis is manifested by limitation of flexion to 90 degrees, painful motion, weakness, and subjective complaints of flare-ups following prolonged sitting, standing, bending, walking, climbing stairs, or carrying more than five pounds. The disability does not produce additional functional loss on repetitive use or x-ray abnormalities indicating recurrent subluxation or instability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee and ankle disability, finding that all elements of the claim are met, including continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and left carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as service connection for nasal scars, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee or left knee, or for left carpal tunnel syndrome prior to November 26, 2010. From November 26, 2010, the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left carpal tunnel syndrome. Service connection was granted for nasal scar residuals from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims of increased ratings for gunshot wounds to the left shoulder and elbow are also being considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left lower extremity disorder, primarily diagnosed as arthritis and synovitis of the knee, is not related to service. The preponderance of evidence shows that her current condition first manifested after service and is unrelated to any incident in service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee disabilities are being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and to schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the claim, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The appellant's left knee disability may have pre-existed service or been aggravated by service.