Knee decisions — 2014

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a fracture of the right ulna and radius, as well as service connection for right knee and foot disorders. The Veteran's claims were found to lack new and material evidence to reopen the original claim.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance was denied because he did not demonstrate wear or tear to his clothing due to the use of a left knee brace prescribed by VA. The Board found that the brace, which is used over or under clothes with no damage, has not caused any damage to his clothing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions regarding his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging an orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of his right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back condition has been withdrawn, and the case is being remanded for further evaluation of his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left shoulder, knee, and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 20 percent for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder or limitation of flexion of the left knee from February 22, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a prostate disorder and bilateral knee disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicides. The preponderance of evidence showed that the Veteran did not have these disorders in service or within one year thereafter.

The Board found no evidence of a service connection for the right knee disability or upper front teeth, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new examination and review of records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for his left knee disability is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder, status post total knee replacement, is currently rated at 60 percent for the period after June 30, 2011. The available schedular evaluation adequately describes his disability.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective December 2, 2011. The right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are found to be adequately addressed and not in need of higher ratings based on the provided evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability and granted it. The claims for hypertension, left knee disability, right knee disability, residuals of malaria, and arthritis (secondary to shell fragment wounds) are also granted.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the case can be adjudicated, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right and left knee disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for right pointer and right middle finger disorders with scars is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to the Veteran's death, and thus denied the claims for service connection for the cause of death, eligibility for nonservice-connected death pension benefits, and entitlement to accrued benefits.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee condition and a skin condition. The case is REMANDED for additional examinations, development of records, and readjudication.

The Veteran seeks service connection for left knee and left shoulder disorders, but the Board finds insufficient evidence to decide these claims due to inadequate VA opinions. Additional development is needed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left knee osteoarthritis were denied. The Board found no evidence of exceptional patterns of hearing impairment or instability warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide adequate examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.