Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current low back disability and symptoms of left hip, knee, and shoulder disabilities are related to active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities (status post total knee arthroplasty and status post left tibial osteotomy) substantially contributed to his death by myocardial infarction, warranting service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee, lumbar spine, and hip conditions are not related to his service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids has been granted. Service connection for a respiratory disorder (claimed as asthma, bronchitis and COPD) is also granted. The left knee disorder and low back disorder are not service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and foot disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support evaluations in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for dizziness, right hand tremors, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the disabilities and active duty service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an updated medical opinion regarding his employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's preexisting left knee disorder was aggravated during his service, and therefore grants service connection for a left knee disability. The right ankle issue remains pending.

The Board finds that service connection for residuals of second-degree burns on the palms with nerve damage is not warranted due to inadequate evidence of current disability. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not due to his period of service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of left knee condition, reopening of pneumonia service connection claim, and reopening of cervical spine disc herniation claim have been granted.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome and instability have been rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available under DCs 5260/5261.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a sinus disorder was withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran has sleep apnea that is likely traceable to his period of active duty service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for kyphosis, right knee plica, and social phobia (claimed as anxiety and depression).

The claims of service connection for psychiatric disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, right knee disability and low back disability are being REMANDED to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding service treatment records and a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current uterus conditions are related to her period of service.

The Board found that the appellant's current left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The VA examiner concluded that there was no direct link between the appellant's current conditions and his in-service injuries.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 10 percent for both the right and left knee disabilities, effective October 2, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic right patellar dislocations are rated at 30 percent, effective prior to February 7, 2011. The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.