Knee decisions — 2014

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to service or his service-connected varicose vein condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been denied as secondary to service-connected left elbow disability. The other claims have been granted.

The Veteran's increased ratings for her right knee and ankle disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's lumbar spine scoliosis is related to her period of active duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issues regarding initial increased disability ratings for MDD prior to March 28, 2007; thoracic spine dextroscoliosis prior to September 26, 2003; and bilateral knee retropatellar pain syndrome have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's total right knee replacement is rated at 30 percent since May 1, 2010. The Board denied entitlement to a higher evaluation for the right knee and TDIU benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran does not have a current lung or bilateral knee disability that can be attributed to active service, including as due to asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TMJ, Cranial Nerve V/trigeminal nerve damage, and residual scarring in the areas of the left cheek, left ear, chin, and forehead (each representing an individual scar) has been granted.,Service connection was also established for a laceration scar on the left knee. The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his right shoulder disorder and cervical spine disability is pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction and right knee disorder, finding new and material evidence. The claim for bilateral hip disorder is denied as there is no evidence to support a current disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and bilateral arm disorder. The Veteran's current disabilities are presumed to be related to his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee was withdrawn. The claim for a compensable rating for eczema prior to February 22, 2012 is denied as the condition did not cover more than 5% of her entire body or exposed areas and no systemic therapy was required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his service-connected knee conditions and cold injury residuals.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left knee disability has been withdrawn, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to decide this issue.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a left thumb injury was granted. The claims for increased ratings for GERD and the left knee disability remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his claim for service connection for a left knee disability has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Travel Board hearing regarding his claims for disability ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of both knees and flat feet. His service connection claims for uterine fibroids and stomach conditions are being addressed in a separate docket number.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain his service personnel records and for VA examinations to determine the etiology of his current left ear hearing loss, right knee disability, and hypertension. The appeal will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being REMANDED due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues include reopening of claims for bilateral hand disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, hypertension, sinus disorder, left side numbness, multiple sclerosis (MS), and a bilateral knee disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining all relevant medical records.

The Veteran's right knee DJD and instability have been granted increased ratings, with a total rating of 20 percent effective November 29, 2011.,The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia patella and instability have also been granted increased ratings, with a total rating of 20 percent effective September 2011.