Knee decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury with healed lacerations, finding that his current left knee disability was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current right knee disability to her service, including a fall during active duty. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's right knee strain is less likely related to her military service and more likely due to a post-service work injury.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination, including records of a recent left knee injury and an updated VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's right knee disability claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his bilateral knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination. The issue of entitlement to a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes remains on hold.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a skin rash and remanded it for further development. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA aid and attendance examination to determine if the appellant requires regular aid and assistance due to her disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left ankle disabilities have been granted, with specific ratings assigned based on the severity of his symptoms. The decision also includes service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee disorders, specifically chondromalacia of the left and right knees, were incurred during service due to his complaints of bilateral knee pain which persisted for years after separation.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized as patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5099-5010. The claim has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or as a result of active duty service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's bilateral foot and knee disabilities are service connected as direct service connection, with the knee disability to include degenerative joint disease (DJD). The Veteran has a history of stress fractures in his feet during service which resolved. His current gouty arthritis is related to his service-connected stress fractures.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, bilateral hip, lumbar and cervical spine, and right ankle disabilities are all service-connected as they are causally related to trauma sustained during active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's PVD, bilateral hip disability, and arthritis of the left knee were not incurred or caused by his military service. The disabilities are also not secondary to any service-connected conditions.