Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting medical examinations. The claims for service connection are related to musculoskeletal conditions (heel spurs, knee disability) and a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right foot, low back, bilateral knee, bilateral hip, and left foot disabilities, cannot be granted as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since active service.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome has been manifested by extension of no less than 10 degrees and flexion of no less than 95 degrees, with no objective evidence of instability. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a low back or left knee disability, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and bilateral knee conditions, have rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain service treatment records and private treatment records related to his left knee disability. The VA examiner will provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report and an inaccurate factual premise in a private treatment record. A new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the claimed right knee disorder and right calf condition.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on May 16, 2009 at Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center is granted as the treatment was deemed to be emergency care and he met the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding the extent of his left knee disability, specifically any additional limitation of motion due to functional factors. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board notes that the RO has not considered whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lumbar spondylosis, right shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability are not service-connected as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his right ankle and left knee disorders, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the left knee is being remanded due to inadequate examination and need for updated treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability, status-post contusion.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by a meniscus tear with degenerative changes, was evaluated at 20 percent prior to March 14, 2007. The evidence did not support higher ratings based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety, as well as left knee DJD secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or aggravation.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating each for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, status post arthroscopy, effective October 16, 2010.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee arthritis. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current left knee disability and his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since September 27, 2007.