Knee decisions — 2013

The Board found the June 2013 VA examination report to be inadequate due to its failure to acknowledge earlier treatment records and discuss previous opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for hypertension prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has determined that further development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left elbow disorders. This includes obtaining medical records, National Guard service records, and any Social Security Administration disability records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his keloid formations of the right shoulder, hands, forehead, right knee, and right foot is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for the bilateral ankle and knee conditions. The Veteran's assertions regarding symptoms since service were not supported by medical evidence or opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for hypogonadism due to PCB exposure in service, are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's lung disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and diabetes mellitus, Type II were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence of a current disability for any of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left ankle disability, right knee disability, and thumb disabilities. The VA examinations did not find a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted a 20% evaluation for left knee instability since May 31, 2005. The Veteran's post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee is not rated higher due to lack of ankylosis or dislocated semilunar cartilage.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not related to his military service, including as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's assertions about injuries during active duty were not supported by medical evidence in his service treatment records.,Service connection was also denied for a lumbar spine disorder on a secondary basis to bilateral knee disorders.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder are currently under review.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, hearing loss, back disability, and right knee disability are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional service treatment records.

The Board found that there was material improvement in the Veteran's right knee arthritis, which reasonably certain to be maintained under ordinary life and work conditions. The RO reduced his rating from 50% to 10%.

The Veteran's right knee disability, evaluated as 10 percent disabling since December 14, 2005, does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Board found that the Veteran was not competent to handle disbursement of VA benefits and denied this claim. The issue is being remanded for issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim on appeal. The Veteran's service-connected back disorder was also denied as secondary to his knees.