Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8520. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of severe incomplete paralysis below the knee with marked muscular atrophy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral foot disorder or a bilateral knee disorder that is related to military service. The claim for secondary service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, which is based on a grant of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, must be denied as a matter of law.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and right knee disability. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee and low back disabilities are not service-connected. The most probative evidence does not support a finding of an in-service injury or disease, and there is no medical nexus linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or symptoms that would warrant an increased rating for his right knee disability, and denied the claims for bilateral shin splints, right elbow pain, and bilateral wrist strain. However, by extending the benefit of doubt to the Veteran, his lumbosacral strain was determined to be service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, gastrointestinal disorder, sinus disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorder have been denied.,There is no evidence of a chronic disability in any of these conditions during active service.

The Board found no evidence of service-connected conditions for the Veteran's bilateral knee, hip, and back disorders. The claims were denied as there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, lower back disorder, and right knee disorder are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, joint pain, and skin rashes is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service. The exposure basis is presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his right knee disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to November 7, 2009 or in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for updated examinations of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the appellant's periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and/or Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA), specifically when any knee or right ankle injuries occurred. The case is REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's currently-diagnosed psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and left knee patellar chondromalacia. The conditions are linked to his in-service injury and permanent aggravation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including arthritis and Osgood Schlatter's disease, is not related to his service or any event/injury therein. The pre-existing condition worsened during service but was not aggravated.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's headaches to his service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity swelling was not considered a disability for VA purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran did not require continued convalescence beyond August 1, 2006 following his right knee surgery and denied his claim for an extension of a temporary total rating.

The Veteran does not have a current right knee disorder or arthritis that is related to his military service, including by way of a service-connected disability.