Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and a need to obtain any outstanding records from the Montgomery, Alabama VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities were denied as there was no evidence of additional functional loss or other factors that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected right knee strain and limitation of motion, is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have current hearing loss due to service, and his left knee and low back disabilities do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to June 19, 2010 or an evaluation in excess of 10 percent beginning June 19, 2010.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated, including obtaining a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, muscle wasting, atrophy and weakness, and altered gait.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support service connection for arthritis of the hips, back, or knees. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for a left knee disorder, as there was no in-service injury or disease and arthritis was not shown within one year of separation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is not granted any initial ratings as his claims are being returned to the RO/AMC for further consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is granted with a rating of 20 percent effective July 17, 2008. The ratings for varicose veins in both lower extremities and chondrocalcinosis of the left knee are denied. The Veteran's residual scar from the excision of a cyst on his wrist is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the relationship between his service-connected right knee disability and any claimed left knee, right hip, hypertension, and sleep disorder disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral knee disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of such within one year after discharge from service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, including whether it is at least as likely as not due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee condition. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, which has been rated at 10 percent since May 2006, does not warrant an increased evaluation as his flexion is limited to 135 degrees, well within the range for a non-compensable rating.

The Board found that the reduction of a 10 percent disability rating to a noncompensable rating for patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee was not proper due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The issues are whether he has bilateral knee disabilities related to service.

The Board found that there is no current evidence of residuals of pneumonia or a right knee disability, and thus denied the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records and VA examination opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle condition is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury. The claim for a left knee disorder remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU rating based on his service-connected disabilities, but the VA examinations did not provide sufficient information to determine if he is unemployable due to these conditions. The case is being remanded for additional medical development.