Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected right knee sprain and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine have been granted initial ratings, but left hand numbness and pseudofolliculitis barbae do not meet criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for residuals of frozen feet, a right knee replacement, and a left knee replacement. The Board has determined that these conditions are not related to service.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral knee disabilities and major depressive disorder were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the currently assigned disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for reopening his right knee disability claim and for an increased rating on his left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice, as well as a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his ACL injury and meniscal tear, resulted in a 10 percent rating prior to September 15, 2009. The Board granted an additional 10 percent rating for the period of August 24, 2006 to September 15, 2009.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and higher initial disability ratings for chronic left foot and ankle strain, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, herniated lumbar disc with radiculopathy, and degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for right knee and right shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of injury or disability during a qualifying period of service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee strains and denied her claims for shin splints, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease and instability were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board finds that the Veteran's back and knee disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of an injury or symptomatology during service. The VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not that the current conditions are due to service.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder and a left knee disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder and acquired flat foot are not service-connected, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service or any other incident of her service.

The Veteran's claims for right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development. His claim for residuals of an anal fistula is not granted, and his claim for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee varus/valgus instability and degenerative joint disease with painful motion were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that his claimed conditions were not related to his service-connected knee disabilities. The Veteran was also denied a TDIU claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral knee disability. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability.,Service connection is granted for a right knee disability, as the Veteran's current condition originated during his active service.