Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for additional examination. The Veteran's claim of reopening his left knee disability service connection is pending.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA medical examination to assess the current nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorder, including whether it is secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a VA joints examination to evaluate the current nature of the Veteran's right knee disability. The claim will be reviewed again after these steps are completed.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's right ankle or right knee disabilities pre-existed his military service. The preponderance of the competent and credible evidence is against finding any current right ankle or right knee disability was related to a disease or injury in service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective from August 1, 2008. The rating has been granted based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's overall disability rating is 80 percent, meeting the schedular standards for consideration of a TDIU. However, he does not meet the requirement of being unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities as he has been employed in managerial positions since at least November 1998 and can still perform some work duties despite his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee degenerative joint diseases are service-connected, as his in-service injury is accepted and there is continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his right knee and cervical spine disabilities to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) for additional development.

The Board found that the reduction from a 10 percent rating to a noncompensable rating for left knee instability was proper based on sustained improvement in the disability.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence of a current back disability, and thus service connection for a back disorder cannot be granted. The claims for right knee and left knee disorders are remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records from the Fayetteville VAMC.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral chondromalacia patella of the knees and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification and additional evidence, including a VA examination of his right knee disability and treatment records from various providers.

The case is REMANDED to the RO for transferring the Veteran's claims file to the Indianapolis, Indiana, RO and scheduling a hearing before a traveling section of the Board.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by postoperative degenerative changes and limited range of motion, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects his functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and service connection for neck and back injuries. The claims are being referred back to the VA examiner or another qualified medical professional for clarification.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis and chondromalacia of the knees, including as secondary to service-connected pes cavus, and for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes cavus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability (arthritis with chondrocalcinosis) is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and new evidence submitted by the Veteran's attorney. The case will be reviewed again with a new medical examination.