Knee decisions — 2013

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disability and osteoarthritis of the left hip were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disability. The issues regarding effective dates are also inextricably intertwined with the claim for higher ratings.

The Veteran's VA compensation benefits were reduced to 10 percent effective May 6, 2008 due to his incarceration for a felony offense.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board found that the Veteran did not sustain a knee injury or disease during service, and there were no chronic symptoms of disability in service. The bilateral knee disorder diagnosed as arthritis was not caused by any in-service event and is not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise on whether the Veteran's tinnitus arose during active service and continued to the present.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee DJD is not related to his service-connected left knee disability and therefore, denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, a back disorder, and a left knee disorder as the evidence did not establish an in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.,There is no clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing asthma existed before his acceptance into active duty. The Board found that there was no aggravation during service.

The Veteran's increased evaluations for his left and right knee disabilities were denied.,Both knees are currently rated 10 percent disabling, with no higher ratings granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and right knee disabilities are not related to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, concluding that the Veteran's current bilateral knee conditions are not related to her military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not have its onset during active service or within one year thereafter and is not causally related to such service. The right knee disability, other than scars, was also denied as there is no evidence of a specific condition identified.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee osteoarthritis was rated as 10% disabling, the bilateral inguinal hernia repair had no residuals, the residual neurological deficit of the ring finger did not meet criteria for a compensable rating, seasonal allergies were rated as non-compensable, and varicose veins of the right lower extremity were found to be unrelated to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right or left knee, right or left hand, and back disability. The Veteran's service records show no complaints of knee, hand, or back issues during or immediately after service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule him for a VA examination. The issues include service connection for bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and any outstanding VA or private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected genitourinary problems and his claimed Reiter's syndrome/reactive arthritis, as well as a separate rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims will be readjudicated after obtaining these opinions.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 20 percent since February 1976. The current rating is for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, and the claimant seeks a higher rating based on additional symptoms such as arthritis and limitation of motion.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to meet the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation since August 2010, and an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent from December 8, 2008. The bilateral knee disorders and back disorder are not service-connected.