Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, particularly his cellulitis and lymphadenitis of the lower extremities, likely contributed to his coronary artery disease which in turn led to his fatal myocardial infarction. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's internal derangement of the left shoulder is rated at 20 percent effective August 10, 2009. The Veteran's chondromalacia of the left knee has not been shown to warrant a compensable evaluation prior to June 17, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and possibly a VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board if further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate compliance with previous instructions.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he did not submit a claim for service connection prior to March 10, 2006. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at March 10, 2006.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II due to herbicide exposure is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The RO granted service connection for this condition and assigned a compensable rating.

The Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is service-connected. The Board also granted service connection for cellulitis, otitis media, tinnitus, nasopharyngeal cancer (claimed as throat cancer), and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his post-operative left knee replacement is being remanded due to the need for further development, including scheduling a VA orthopedic examination and considering whether he is entitled to a 100 percent rating following implantation of the knee prosthesis in April or May 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires further development of evidence, including a new examination to determine the severity and scope of the appellant's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to use adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records for his second period of active duty and to schedule him for a VA examination to address whether his current right knee disorder is permanently aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, twisted knee, enlarged prostate, ventral hernia, and eye refractive error. The evidence did not show a current diagnosis or etiology for any of these conditions related to active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication of the TDIU claim after the grants of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and ankle, as his combined evaluation now meets the schedular criteria for a claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective March 1, 2007. The appeal was granted for a higher rating.

The Veteran's low back degenerative changes are found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The right knee and hip conditions are also found to be secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's scars have been rated at 10 percent since May 14, 2009. The current rating is appropriate given the size and nature of his scars.