Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking his in-service injury to his present condition.

The Board granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage in the left knee as of February 17, 2012. The Veteran's chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis and medial meniscal tear was previously evaluated at 10 percent based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities due to recent symptomatology, including bilateral knee swelling and pain. The case will be adjudicated again after the examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's freestanding claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of an increased rating of 20 percent for a right knee disability, as it is barred by law due to the one-year appellate period following the July 1997 rating decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO in Oakland, California.

The case is being remanded for a current VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, including range of motion and any additional functional loss due to pain or instability. The rating will be readjudicated after this.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for left knee disability and granted service connection based on evidence showing a current diagnosis of left knee osteoarthritis that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability, and for obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's below the knee amputation of the left leg was caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault by VA. The Board finds that the criteria for entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are met.

The Veteran's left knee condition is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology and severity, as the current evidence does not definitively establish whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed before a decision can be made on the service connection claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbar strain. The Veteran also requested service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), residuals of a bilateral mandible fracture, chondromalacia patella of the left knee, and chondromalacia patella of the right knee. These issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain clarification and additional medical examinations for his hearing loss and right knee conditions.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 16, 2007 for the grants of service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and right iliotibial band syndrome with limitation of hip motion and left iliotibial band syndrome with degenerative joint disease and limitation of hip motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and service, as well as additional VA treatment records.

The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's statements about the continuity of her knee pain since service are credible, and that the disability was incurred in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or recurrent symptoms with respect to these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder is not related to her active service and denies her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder strain, lumbar spine disc bulge with stenosis and facet arthritis, and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome with MCL thickening, Pellegrini-Stieda lesion, and chronic changes are all related to service.