Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability was denied as the current manifestations of his condition do not warrant a higher rating than the currently assigned 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's knee, ankle, elbow, wrist, and back disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's DJD of the knees is related to service, but his low back disability and left elbow disability are not.,The VA examiner found that the current DJD of the knees is due in part to service, while the current low back disability and left elbow disability are less likely caused by service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral knee, hip, and low back disorders due to secondary service connection with a request for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for her lumbar spine disability and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current Lyme disease or any residuals thereof, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private medical records, and further development is needed before a final decision can be made on the service connection claim for left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the claim for service connection for a right knee disability is no longer valid as he has passed away.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not related to service or any service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for extraschedular ratings in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that the schedular criteria adequately encompassed his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case to the VA RO for further development due to the Veteran's receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits for his left knee disorder during the pendency of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability due to outstanding VA medical records and additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent due to instability, with additional ratings for arthritis affecting extension and flexion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding no new and material evidence to reopen them.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right knee injury was denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for right hip weakness is considered on its merits as the appeal has been certified to the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee disorder and arthritis of multiple joints were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee contusion, fibroma, PTSD, and substance abuse. The decision found that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. Service connection for substance abuse is not warranted as it resulted from voluntary use of drugs and alcohol.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the regional office.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include complete peroneal nerve paralysis of the left leg (40%), post-operative residuals of the left knee with resultant instability (20%), and degenerative joint disease of the left knee (10%), combine to a single disability evaluated as 60 percent disabling. The competent clinical evidence does not demonstrate that these service-connected disabilities preclude the Veteran from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental VA examination and clarifying the opinions provided by both the November 2010 VA examiner and the January 2012 private chiropractor.