Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability and has determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Board has also found that service connection is warranted based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bilateral tinnitus, but reopened his claim for cervical spine disorder due to new evidence. His sleep apnea was also denied as it was not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and etiology opinion are needed to determine the nature and cause of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, as his service treatment records are unavailable. The case is also remanded for obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and records. The issues are whether the Veteran has bilateral knee, ankle, and foot disorders that are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and VA treatment records from the 1960s, as well as scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature of the Veteran's current bilateral knee and leg disabilities and their relationship to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred or aggravated during active service and is not related to any in-service injury. The claims for residuals of head injury, fracture of the nose, and loss of teeth for compensation purposes were previously denied and new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board found that the evidence did not show actual improvement in the Veteran's right knee disability, and thus denied his claim for restoration of a 30% rating for limitation of right leg extension.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability and bilateral knee disability, but remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference Board hearing. The Veteran did not attend his scheduled hearing and requested rescheduling due to an address change.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disorders did not manifest during his active military service or within one year of separation. The evidence does not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for his right knee disabilities are being remanded.

The Veteran's separate 20 percent ratings for his service-connected residuals of a left knee injury and retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee were reduced to 10 percent each, effective August 1, 2012. The Board finds that these reductions were improper due to less full and complete examinations used as the basis for reduction.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each since February 23, 2007. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately compensate for his symptoms.

The Board has granted a rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, effective from February 12, 2013. The decision also noted that a separate 10 percent rating is assigned for limited extension of the right knee.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The issues of entitlement to an increased evaluation for the right knee and service connection for a left knee disorder are being considered.

The Veteran's right thigh and right knee scars are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 7804. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee and skin disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for his service-connected right knee disability is denied as he currently receives the highest allowable schedular rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities are related to service and have granted service connection for all three conditions.

The Board has determined that the reduction from higher ratings to 10 percent for osteoarthritis of both knees was proper, and the current 10 percent ratings are maintained.