Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims for low back, bilateral knee, bilateral wrist, and headache disabilities are being reviewed with additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lumbar strain, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), right shoulder disorders including osteoarthritis and impingement, and bilateral ankle arthritis. The diagnoses were not deemed to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right knee, left knee, and right foot disorders as secondary to the service-connected left foot hallux valgus.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than August 10, 2009 for the grant of service connection for non-obstructive coronary artery disease with atrial fibrillations status post multiple failed cardioversions is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart disorder was not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The cause of death is presumed due to a service-connected condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability and found that new and material evidence had been received. The case is remanded to determine if the current right knee disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of TDIU, service connection for back disability, and right leg below the knee amputation are also being addressed.

The Veteran's lower back condition and left knee condition are found to be at least as likely as not aggravated or proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability, respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that it is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's right knee disorder and dermatitis were evaluated, but the current ratings do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by meniscal tear with episodes of pain, locking, and effusion, resulted in a compensable rating for limitation of extension. The Board granted the Veteran a separate 20 percent rating since March 6, 2012, based on his limited right knee extension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his post-operative residuals of right and left knee osteochondritis dissecans, to include traumatic arthritis, were denied as the evidence did not show any limitation in motion that would warrant a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between his service-connected conditions and asbestos exposure.

The Board is remanding the case to attempt to locate service medical records from when the Veteran was treated for a right knee injury in Korea. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran's left knee patellar tendon rupture and instability have been rated, but the increased rating for instability from July 8, 2015 is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee disability, right shoulder disability, and low back disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or post-service continuity of symptomatology.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle and right knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by chronic arthralgia and Baker's cyst, has been rated at 10 percent since March 11, 2009. The VA determined that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms of limited range of motion without additional instability or arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been denied as there is no credible evidence linking the condition to his military service. The status of the right knee disability secondary issue remains unknown.