Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, including osteoarthritis and post-operative residuals of arthroscopic ACL reconstructive surgery, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The VA examiner will provide an addendum opinion considering new medical evidence from April and May 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that his current disability was not incurred or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's instability and degenerative arthritis of the left knee are rated at 10 percent each, effective September 26, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, migraine headaches, and low back disorder have been denied as they are not supported by evidence showing an in-service occurrence or relationship to military service.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for a left knee disability and denied the claim. The Veteran's current left knee condition is not related to his service-connected lumbar spine or right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding medical records and authorization forms.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is likely due to an injury sustained during his period of active service. The claim for left knee arthritis remains pending as there are no findings or evidence supporting a direct service connection.

The Board has remanded both service connection claims for a new VA examination due to the inadequacy of the September 2006 VA examination. The Veteran's left hip and left knee disabilities are currently under review.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as a round metallic foreign body and degenerative arthritis, is granted service connection. The claim for left knee disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has decided that a new examination is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities, as well as their relationship to service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left quadriceps tendon tear that he claims was caused by his service-connected left knee condition. The Board has determined that additional development, including an addendum opinion from the examiner who provided the March 2013 VA contract examination, is needed to address whether the Veteran's service-connected condition aggravated his claimed condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for residuals of shell fragment wounds to the left arm, right eye, left knee and left calf is being remanded due to inadequate examination. The issue of service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy (claimed as prostate disorder) was withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including the provision of a new VA examination and consideration of all submitted evidence.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the appellant's right knee disorder was incurred during her active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a right thumb injury is attributable to peacetime service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue regarding the right knee disorder remains pending as it was not adjudicated in the decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a burn to the left forearm has been withdrawn. The remaining issues on appeal will be addressed in the remand portion.

The Veteran's right knee retropatellar pain syndrome was found to be of a compensable severity prior to February 28, 2012, warranting a 10 percent initial evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent, but a separate noncompensable rating is assigned for limitation of extension in the right knee.