Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the initial compensable evaluation for cervical adenopathy and the evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the claim can be adjudicated, including obtaining post-service treatment records and attempting to contact the Veteran regarding any potential Workers Compensation claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for bronchitis, left knee disability, and cervical spine disability. The claim remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of her bilateral knee disorder as secondary to her service-connected feet and ankle disabilities. Additionally, she needs to be provided with proper VCAA notice regarding how to substantiate a claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip, knee, and foot disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of his service-connected left ankle, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records, VA treatment records, and a VA examination for his prostate disorder and hepatitis C.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to have its onset in service or be otherwise related to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to afford the Veteran full consideration of his claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, knee disabilities, and ankle disabilities. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues are whether he should receive a higher disability evaluation for his right knee condition and if he can establish service connection for his cervical spine disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability did not have onset in service and was not caused or permanently aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for additional medical records and a more detailed analysis of the service connection claim.

The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities have been rated based on their current functional impairment, with the highest rating granted for residuals of right total knee arthroplasty.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been granted, with the effective dates being March 1, 1975 (for hypermobility of the right patellar tendon) and August 1, 2004 (for residuals of dislocation of the left patella).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms and examination findings.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various foot, shoulder, and knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his in-service injuries or conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hypertrophic degenerative disease involving lateral vertebral body margins, lumbar spine and denied increased ratings for myofascial strain of the paraspinal muscles of the back, osteochondritis dissecans, lateral femoral condyle, left knee, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease has been rated at 10 percent since January 16, 2009. The appeal is denied as the disability does not warrant a higher rating.