Knee decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and potential incarceration.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an extraschedular rating, finding that his left knee disability did not present such an exceptional or unusual picture with marked interference in employment.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, costochondritis (chest pain), and tinnitus. The Veteran's honorable period of service is considered in determining the nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA knee examination to determine the current nature and extent of his service-connected left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's left and right knee degenerative joint disease have been evaluated at the 10 percent rating for limitation of motion, with no additional functional loss due to pain or instability. The current evaluations are considered adequate.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of any currently diagnosed left knee condition. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to insufficient previous examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of the left knee disability, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities such as a low back disability and right knee disability.

Prior to August 16, 2012, the Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent for limitation of extension and another 20 percent for other residuals due to degenerative changes. After a total knee arthroplasty in August 2012, he is now rated 100 percent effective October 1, 2013.,Effective October 1, 2013, the Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 100 percent due to his total knee arthroplasty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and evaluation of his right knee condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability, diagnosed as minimal age-acquired osteoarthritis, did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within one year after separation from service. There is no probative evidence linking his left knee disability to his service.

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

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's current service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU). However, due to his PTSD symptoms and unsuccessful attempts at employment, he may be eligible for TDIU under extra-schedular considerations.

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

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current right or left ankle disability that is related to her service, and therefore denied her claims for service connection. The same applies to her multiple arthralgias (bilateral hand, knee, and hip conditions).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence showing such conditions manifested in service or to a compensable degree within one year following separation from service. The new evidence received since the December 2008 decision does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim and does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder, characterized by painful range of motion with limited flexion to 80 degrees, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various ankle, knee, and spine disorders have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that was incurred or aggravated in service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining more thorough opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's left knee strain and bilateral shoulder strain are not related to active service, including service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The Veteran's menstrual disability is presumed due to undiagnosed illness during service.,The Veteran's hallux valgus was noted upon entry into active duty service but did not increase during service.