Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not currently have a current disability of tinea pedis or chronic knee disabilities, and thus service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, as his disabilities were rated at 90% combined and he did not meet the duration requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disorder or left knee scars, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left knee disability and lymphocytic leukemia due to exposure to Agent Orange. He also seeks service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.,Service connection is sought for lymphocytic leukemia, which the Veteran claims was caused by his exposure to herbicides during service at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and/or Fort Sherman, Panama Canal Zone. The RO/AMC should further develop this claim based on VA's Adjudication Procedure Manual M21-1MR.,Service connection is sought for diabetes mellitus, type II, which the Veteran claims was caused by his exposure to herbicides during service at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and/or Fort Sherman, Panama Canal Zone. The RO/AMC should further develop this claim based on VA's Adjudication Procedure Manual M21-1MR.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent, effective May 17, 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling under the criteria for limitation of flexion. The RO has granted these ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and further analysis of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for right knee instability and degenerative arthritis was denied as there is no current evidence of right knee instability, and the existing evaluations adequately reflect the severity of his disability.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee injury or condition during service and concluded that the current left knee disorder is not related to service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities manifested by fatigue and abdominal pain, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, joint pain of bilateral knees and elbows, and chronic cough and chest pain.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability did not result from his in-service surgery and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ankle fracture with degenerative joint disease, right ankle and hip arthritis, and right knee degenerative joint disease, meet the criteria for a schedular total disability rating from May 7, 2004 to November 6, 2008. The claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of sufficient evidence to decide the claim, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination by a medical professional with expertise in rheumatology.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's medical records and clarify certain issues. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's additional disabilities of the back, left knee, and bilateral legs were not caused by VA care or treatment. The evidence did not support a finding of fault on the part of VA.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a right knee condition, to include arthritis, that was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for bronchitis, were denied. The initial evaluations for both knees remain at 10 percent, effective June 11, 2010 forward.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims for low back and right knee disabilities.