Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he and his attorney have withdrawn the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left leg injury with below the knee amputation was incurred in the line of duty and not due to his own willful misconduct, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's chronic lumbar spine strain is found to have begun in service and was incurred therein, granting service connection for a chronic lumbar spine strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and additional development, including obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records and determining if there is a link between the Veteran's current right knee disability and his period of active service.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of May 2009 for the grant of a 10 percent disability rating for his service-connected left knee musculoligamentous strain.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for left knee instability has been granted, with a current rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of Chapter 30 educational assistance benefits is granted, allowing him up to a total of 29 months of eligibility.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in service and is not shown to have been caused or aggravated by her service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to evaluate his right knee disability and consideration of the submitted lay statement from his sister.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee osteoarthritis with meniscus tears are rated at 20 percent for the right knee, effective from March 1, 2010. The left knee is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent prior to August 28, 2012. Beginning on that date, the rating for his right ankle arthritis has been increased to 20 percent.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities can be decided.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's right knee and cervical spine disorders may be service connected if they are found to have been aggravated by his pre-existing left knee disorder or due to a car accident in 1966. The VA will need to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine these issues.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome have been manifested by painful motion, particularly on exertional use such as climbing stairs, walking, and running. The disability has not warranted a rating higher than 10 percent under any pertinent criteria prior to October 27, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee disability, which includes a temporary total rating and a permanent 30 percent rating, is being remanded due to incomplete development of private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The effective date of the grant of service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, left and right medial collateral ligament strain, and limitation of motion of the right and left knee was assigned as July 31, 1993.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder and knee disability. The Board has ordered remand due to the need for additional development regarding the nature and etiology of his current skin disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current right knee disability. The Veteran's service records show complaints of right knee pain during service, but no pre-existing injury is documented.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a videoconference hearing at the RO, as the Veteran requested one. The appeal is not about service connection and does not involve any exposure basis or presumption.