Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's left knee disorder, including chondromalacia patella, meniscal tear and cyst, is being remanded for a new medical opinion to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, migraine headaches, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and TMJ syndrome. Service connection is granted for all conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Board found that the March 2007 VA examination report was inadequate and another examination is necessary.

The Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his military service, and the Board finds that there is no competent medical evidence or opinion linking the condition to any in-service event or injury.

The Board finds that the Veteran sustained a right knee injury during ACDUTRA in October 1989 and grants service connection for her right knee disability.

The Veteran's request to appeal the esophageal cancer claim has been withdrawn, and thus the issue is dismissed.

The Board has granted a reduction in the evaluation of the right knee cruciate ligament insufficiency from 30 percent to 10 percent, effective February 1, 2010. The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee arthritis is reopened based on new evidence provided by his doctor.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a digestive disorder and right knee condition were denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to his military service. The Board has ordered further development, including medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected status post total right knee arthroplasty is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his knee disabilities and left ankle osteoarthritis, as well as service connection for a urinary disorder. The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the knee disabilities at the May 2013 hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee strain and whether he has right knee arthritis related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee condition and low back condition are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and any relevant SSA disability benefits records. He will also be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as his neck, arthritis, leg and knee, and back disorders.

The Veteran seeks an increase in the rating for his service-connected left knee disability, rated at 30 percent combined. The case is REMANDED to obtain updated treatment records and arrange for a VA examination by an orthopedic specialist to assess the severity of the disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee DJD did not manifest in service or within one year of discharge from active duty, and the preponderance of the evidence reflects that it is not attributable to service.

The persuasive evidence of record demonstrates that throughout the course of the appeal, the Veteran's left knee disability has been manifest by some pain and limitation of flexion without more severe limitations. The current range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability and remanded it for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee disabilities, allergies, skin disorders, hypertension, general malaise, and a drastic change in weight and appearance due to an undiagnosed illness are all denied.,There is no competent evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to military service.

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