Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether the Veteran's left knee disorder is related to service or his service-connected left ankle strain.

The Veteran's current right knee arthritis is not related to his service, including injuries sustained during service. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating higher than 40 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease with limitation of extension, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that none of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his right knee disability and tinnitus, were primary or contributory causes of his death. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these disabilities caused or contributed substantially to his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disorder and any instability.

The Veteran's claims were denied, and he was not granted any new effective dates or increased ratings for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing an adequate examination and medical opinion to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding ongoing symptoms in his right knee since service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues regarding secondary service connection and additional development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and assigned a noncompensable (zero percent) evaluation. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied, but he is currently receiving a compensable rating for limitation of extension.

The Veteran's right knee disability has not manifested by severe painful motion or weakness, and the current rating of 30 percent is adequate as it considers his symptoms under Diagnostic Codes 5261 (limitation of extension) and 5260 (limitation of flexion).

The Veteran's right knee disability is found to be related to his in-service injury, and service connection for the condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims were denied, with the exception of his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The remaining claims were either not granted or are pending further review.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and meniscal tear of the femoral fracture residuals do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as incurred in service. The claims for a bilateral knee and back conditions are also granted, with the latter being secondary to his great toe hallux valgus.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities were not incurred in service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a chronic disability manifested by blurred vision during service.,Prostatitis was granted an initial evaluation of 60 percent from December 1, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for back disability and left knee degenerative joint disease.,Non-service-connected pension claim is intertwined with the grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the rating assigned for the Veteran's right knee disability from 30 to 10 percent effective March 1, 2010 was not proper and remanded the issue of restoring a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal to establish the timeliness of his NOD with the August 2008 rating decision is granted. The case is REMANDED for issuance of a SOC addressing the merits of the service connection claims.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities and his service, including as due to injury therein. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess her pes planus, hip, knee, and back disabilities.