Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that a higher initial rating for this disability is not warranted. The Veteran does not have any other conditions related to cold exposure, and his arthritis of the hands, knees, skin cancer, hypertension, and blood circulation disorder are not related to active service or cold exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is not related to his service, including an in-service injury. The VA examiner determined that the condition was less likely caused by or incurred during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) to Muscle Group XIII, and assigned an initial 30 percent evaluation. The Veteran's right knee, left hip, and low back disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected SFW.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and degenerative joint disease, as well as right knee patellofemoral syndrome and degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's knee disorders are considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left shoulder, and back conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development including confirmation of National Guard service dates and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examination and records to determine the nature and etiology of his left knee disability and an increased rating for service-connected bilateral pes planus.

For the entire initial rating period, the Veteran's left knee disability has been manifested by painful motion with predominantly normal extension and flexion to at worst 80 degrees. The criteria for a higher disability rating have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, left knee radiculopathy, and left knee laxity have been granted higher initial ratings. The rating for the back disability is at its maximum of 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities were denied. The VA examinations did not find any service connection issues, but rather focused on the current functional limitations of the knees.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, a right hip disorder and a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and an initial increased evaluation for residuals of left knee injury were denied. The claim for the left knee was remanded by the Court in December 2012, but no further action has been taken.

The Board found no evidence of a low back or knee disability in service, and the competent medical opinions did not support a secondary service connection claim. The Veteran's current disabilities are considered to be unrelated to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining employment records and a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected left knee disability on his ability to work.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's knee and ankle disabilities are currently rated at the lowest possible level (10 percent) for each condition, as they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes. The VA examinations have consistently shown no more than moderate limitation of motion in both knees and ankles.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder had its onset during his military service and granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and ensuring that all necessary examinations are conducted. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities will be reconsidered based on the newly obtained evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for breast condition, liver cancer, right knee disability, left knee disability, and psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to her active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA opinions to address the etiology of the Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis. The appeal will be returned to the Board once this is completed.