Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee arthritis and instability, as well as an initial evaluation for his right knee disability were denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran had DJD of the left knee with a flexion range to 140 degrees without pain.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disorder due to an injury sustained during ACDUTRA. However, the Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disorders as they are not shown to be related to any period of active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right knee disability, which he claims was incurred during active duty. The Board has remanded the case to obtain a VA examination and determine if there is any link between his current right knee condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination or opinion may be needed.

The Veteran's post-operative medial meniscectomy of the left knee with synovitis is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant an increase in disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was denied, as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a rating greater than 20 percent. The issue of service connection for a right knee disorder was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin problems and arthritis of the knees, ankles, and right elbow are not related to his service-connected syphilis.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee disability in service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current right knee condition is not related to his left knee disability. The claim for an increased rating for chondromalacia of the left knee was denied as there is no functional equivalent of flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to improper scheduling of a video-conference hearing and incorrect notice of the hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder and finds that new and material evidence has been received. However, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection as his right knee disorder is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The increased rating claims for left and right knee disabilities remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to her active military service for bilateral knee, low back, headache, or psychiatric conditions. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his right knee patellar tendonitis. The TDIU portion of the claim will also be considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee internal derangement is causally related to his active service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right knee and hip bursitis are proximately due to her service-connected left leg disability (left tibia plateau stress fracture).

The Board granted an effective date of November 17, 2008 for the award of a TDIU rating. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD and left hip disability, precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.