Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, major depressive disorder, is found to be related to his service-connected right knee and right leg disabilities. His right knee disability is granted an initial rating of 20 percent, but no higher, while his right leg disability is also granted a 20 percent rating.

The appeal is being remanded to the AOJ due to new evidence received since the August 2015 supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran must be provided a SSOC with this additional information.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office for consideration of additional VA treatment records and potential readjudication.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 3, 2011, and beginning April 1, 2011. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating during these periods.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for separate disability ratings under Diagnostic Code 5257 for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of instability or subluxation in either knee.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to the Veteran's right knee and right ankle disabilities, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability warrants a combined 30 percent rating based on dislocation of semilunar cartilage and osteoarthritis with painful motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability, to include arthritis, was not manifested in service or within one year postservice and is not related to his military service. Therefore, service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is not related to her service and denies her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current headache, left leg/knee, or left shoulder disabilities that are related to his military service. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions are more likely due to natural aging processes and other non-service-related factors.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the claims for service connection and increased ratings were not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, hypertension, arteriosclerotic peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity, and right knee strain are all service-connected. The Veteran is granted increased ratings for his hypertension (to 10%) and right knee strain (from 0% to 10% prior to October 5, 2015).

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and other issues, including verification of dates of active duty for training.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and a skin condition, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not have a diagnosed hip/abdominal disorder at the time his claims were filed.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his xerosis and pes planus were found to be related to service. Service connection was granted for these conditions.

The Veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for amputations of his legs and a stroke, alleging that improper delay in treatment by VA led to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right knee was denied. The maximum schedular evaluation (60%) has been assigned since August 1, 2012.