Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to missing records and the need for a VA examination to determine if his current knee disabilities are related to service, including any LOD injury during National Guard service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder due to new evidence received since the last denial. The issue is now on its merits, and will be decided based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease, finding that the current disability is proximately due to or the result of the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disorder, to include as secondary to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and he was assigned a combined rating of 20 percent effective July 25, 2007. An additional attorney fee of $909.60 is awarded based on the 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder in service or currently, and thus, the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied. For his knee disabilities, the Board finds that the June 2011 VA examination report provides sufficient information to determine that a higher evaluation than 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that she meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if any current right knee disability is related to service, specifically a vehicle accident during the first period of service and another vehicle accident during the second period of service.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a service connection claim for the Veteran's right knee disability, as his reported injury in service did not result in any residuals or complications. The current right knee arthritis was not shown within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any left knee disorder, including whether it is related to service or his right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining private chiropractic and neurological treatment records, as well as a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, determine the etiology of his claimed knee and back disabilities, and obtain an adequate opinion regarding service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by severe degenerative arthritis and a history of meniscectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent for each condition. The Board has determined that the evidence supports an increased rating to 20 percent for both conditions combined.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for another VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now being reviewed on their merits. The appeals for some conditions, such as hearing loss and arthritis of multiple joints, were not fully developed due to a lack of evidence or because they were previously denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected right femur fracture with total knee replacement, and whether separate evaluations are warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and issuing a statement of the case on the left knee disability issue.

The Board has determined that there is equally probative evidence suggesting a relationship between the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability and his claimed left hip disorder, thus granting the claim of secondary service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a left knee disorder and has determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Board has also found that the Veteran's symptoms of DJD, osteoarthritis, and chondromalacia are continuous since service separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition is not service-connected and his left knee instability does not warrant an increased rating.