Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as a new VA orthopedic examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability. The case may also be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of an extra-schedular TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and dismissed due to the request for a hearing being canceled.

The Veteran's service-connected disability and educational achievements have been deemed suitable for vocational rehabilitation in the field of international business management, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation under applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's chronic pelvic pain and Bell's palsy are service connected. Her acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) is not service connected.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right knee condition, and hypertension were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The appellant contends that the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability caused his fatal traffic accident, but the Board finds insufficient evidence to support this contention.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted, with a current rating of 20 percent effective as of March 17, 2009. The claims for increased ratings for chronic capsulitis of the left knee and left ankle were denied. TDIU is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hand disabilities must be reconsidered to the time of his initial filing due to newly received STRs. The Veteran is seeking direct service connection for these conditions, but also raises a secondary claim based on his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a more current examination of his left knee disabilities.

The Board found no credible evidence of left knee pain or treatment in service, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as her current allegations are inconsistent with her statements made during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left knee disability was aggravated by service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is not related to his active duty service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right shoulder or left knee disorder in service and concluded that the current disorders are not related to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left knee disability during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, and service connection for this condition may not be presumed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is proximately due to or the result of service-connected reflex sympathetic dystrophy, right lower extremity, to include the thigh. The claims for increased evaluations and service connection for migraines are remanded as additional examinations and/or medical opinions are needed.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and left knee disorders, as well as a right foot disorder and secondary service connection for an ulcer and stomach disorder. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to the lack of new and material evidence.

The Board finds that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee condition, including obtaining relevant VA and private treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to assess his current right knee condition and its relationship to his Reserve service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability more nearly approximates a 30 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5260, based on limitation of flexion.