Knee decisions — 2013

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, including osteoarthritis, and his military service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for fatigue, joint pain with muscle aches (other than disability of the bilateral ankles), and sleep apnea due to undiagnosed illness. The evidence received since the September 1997 rating decision raises a reasonable probability of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his headaches, as well as to assess the severity of his PTSD, left knee disability, and tinea pedis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and a need for clarifying opinions regarding his left shoulder and left knee disorders.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the initial compensable disability rating and a rating in excess of 10 percent since, as well as for service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran was granted service connection for various disabilities, but only received noncompensable ratings.,A 10 percent initial rating was assigned for hemorrhoids.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The evidence does not show a current disability that is related to active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate ratings have been granted. He is now rated at 40 percent for his DJD of the lumbar spine, with a separate 10 percent rating for each knee condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability, manifested by pain, swelling, giving out, and locking, has been rated at 20 percent since October 11, 2007. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders, including patellar chondromalacia and DJD, as well as his bilateral foot disorder, including plantar fasciitis and DJD of the right great toe, are service-connected due to aggravation beyond their natural progression by in-service physical activities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in dismissal of the case.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bilateral knee chondromalacia patella with arthritis, rosacea, hypertension, and PTSD. The Board finds that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, right knee, and left lower extremity conditions have been rated as appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder, right knee and bilateral foot disabilities to allow for additional development.

The Veteran's current left knee disability is found to be the result of an in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee strain has been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or arthritis. Service connection claims for left knee ligament/tendon disorder and respiratory/pulmonary disorder have also been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a separate 20 percent disability rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint under Diagnostic Code 5258.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional information and examination regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee disorders. The appeal is currently pending.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.