Knee decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder did not manifest in service or one year thereafter, and is not related to military service. The Veteran's currently diagnosed ankle disorders were also not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle, knee, hip, and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his service-connected fracture of the left lower fibula or flat foot. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his headaches, rendered him unemployable and he is granted a TDIU.

The Board found that the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims for service connection of right ankle, knee, and hip disorders. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. Service connection claims are pending.

The Veteran's application for vocational rehabilitation and training under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code was denied because it was determined that achieving a vocational goal was not reasonably feasible due to his service-connected and nonservice-connected disabilities preventing him from successfully pursuing employment.

The Board has granted an extension of the temporary total right knee rating from May 1, 2006, through July 31, 2006. The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back and leg numbness and additional circulatory disorders are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The Board concluded that these disabilities were not incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only as she does not have loss of use of one or both feet, hands, vision impairment, or ankylosis of knees or hips.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right and left knee degenerative arthritis, as well as his thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease, are related to his service-connected residuals of cold weather injury to the right and left lower extremities. The claims were granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure to comply with prior remand instructions.

The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's current claims for service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and right hip disorders. The Veteran did not provide sufficient medical or other credible evidence to substantiate his claims.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized as petellofemoral syndrome with medial meniscus tear and limited motion, is rated at 30 percent since January 5, 2010. The rating reflects the limitation of flexion to a degree that does not meet any higher criteria under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and diabetes mellitus, finding that new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The Board also found no evidence of herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The case will be readjudicated after all necessary actions are taken.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoporosis of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left knee, and right knee were denied as there is no evidence that warrants a higher evaluation based on current symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of both knees was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to any in-service injury. The evidence does not show a continuity of symptoms since service, nor can it be presumed due to the length of time between service and diagnosis.