Knee decisions — 2013

The Board found that the October 1986 rating decision did not contain clear and unmistakable error in granting service connection for shell fragment wound residuals and scar to the left knee, as well as assigning a zero percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left knee disorder or fibromyalgia, and therefore service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's left knee disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and instability, are already compensated at maximum levels. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is service-connected, as it was first manifested shortly after his separation from service and is related to his military duties. The right knee and left knee disorders are not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of both knees and left knee instability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 60%, which does not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, he has not met the criteria for an extraschedular TDIU as set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.321.

The Veteran's current disabilities of the bilateral hips and right knee were not incurred in service, are not related to a service-connected disability, and have not been aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed left lower extremity arthritic disorder did not arise during service or due to his service-connected left leg fracture residuals, and thus denied service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service or his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's knee disabilities are rated at the lowest possible level, and his claim for service connection for pemphigus foliaceus is denied.

The Board found that there is not enough evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and residuals of left knee injuries.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disability. The Veteran needs to be provided with a new VA examination to determine if his current knee disabilities are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability was not directly related to his service, and did not increase in severity beyond natural progression during active duty. The claim for secondary service connection based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition by service-connected right knee injury was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his lumbar spine disability, have been denied. The criteria for higher ratings were not met in any of the periods specified.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain medical records from Dr. Greisman, who treated the Veteran for his knee disability in 1990. The case is now remanded for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and SSA records and readjudicating the claim in light of additional evidence.

The Board found no evidence of current chronic left elbow, left knee, or gastrointestinal disabilities (manifested by diarrhea) due to service. The Veteran's complaints were not supported by objective medical findings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the examiner who performed the February 2012 examination to address the etiology of his claimed disabilities of the left knee, right knee and right ankle. The AMC must also issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case on the issue of entitlement to service connection for a disability of the left knee.