Knee decisions — 2013

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and left hip disorders did not have their clinical onset in service or are otherwise related to active duty. As a result, these claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's claims to reopen the issues of entitlement to service connection for left and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling him for examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and shrapnel injuries, played a substantial and material causal role in his death from end stage congestive heart failure.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was caused by an accidental overdose of painkillers, unrelated to service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, his cause of death is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to reschedule her for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals due to her request for postponement. The issues include seeking higher ratings for knee conditions and service connection for fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claims were granted, and he was awarded service connection for various conditions. The initial ratings assigned are generally in line with the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically for her right knee and left foot callus of the 5th metatarsal head. As such, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee strains have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was granted an increased rating to 50 percent effective July 9, 2012. The Veteran also received a separate 10 percent disability rating for lateral instability of the right knee and a 10 percent disability rating for lateral instability of the left knee.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling under the provisions of DCs 5010-5260. The rating is based on limitation of motion, with no evidence of ankylosis or other severe impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a videoconference hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for PTSD and a left knee disability are still pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not show flexion limited to 15 degrees or less. The current rating adequately compensates for his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The issues are whether he should receive a higher rating for his right knee disability and if he should receive any compensation for his left eye condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing and other procedural issues.

The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that additional action is required to evaluate the current state of the Veteran's condition and determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder. The Veteran also has an ongoing claim for higher initial disability rating for his left knee disorder which is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.