Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the left knee and residuals of a shell fragment wound of the back are being remanded due to incomplete development. A new VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a shell fragment wound, right leg, Muscle Group XII was denied. The RO assigned the maximum available rating (30%) based on the severity of his muscle injury and neurological manifestations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow the VA to schedule him for a videoconference hearing. The claims of service connection for right and left knee disorders are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is service-connected. The remaining claims for right hip and right knee disabilities, as well as tinnitus, are denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination of his right knee.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his left knee disability. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and for further medical examinations regarding his left knee disability and respiratory disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's ex-wife and her brother, which must be considered in readjudicating his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation training was denied because he left his previous employment due to economic reasons, not due to worsening service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support the need for further rehabilitation.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is manifested by extension limited to 10 degrees, with consideration for pain, fatigue, weakness, lack of endurance, and/or instability. Additionally, the Veteran experiences moderate recurrent subluxation of the left knee. Accordingly, an increased rating of 20 percent effective from September 28, 2010 is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right wrist disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a current disorder related to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and right knee disorders are not related to service or service-connected conditions, and denied claims for service connection on a secondary basis.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back, left knee, and left ankle disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including residuals of a skeletal injury to include the low back, shoulders and neck, bilateral knee disabilities, and mild symphysis of the pelvis, did not have onset during or as a result of service. The evidence does not establish continuity of symptomatology for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee and left hip disabilities due to incomplete SSA records, need for a supplemental medical opinion regarding aggravation of current disabilities by service-connected right knee disability, and other procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected back disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, or left knee disorder (secondary to his service-connected right knee disability). The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records from the James Haley VA Medical Center. The examiner will assess the current severity of his right knee disability and provide an opinion on whether his left knee disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's dental condition is not service-connected as it does not meet the criteria for VA outpatient treatment.,The Veteran's left knee disorder was incurred in service and is service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.