Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for service-connected right knee strain with degenerative changes due to inadequate VA examination findings. The Veteran's current disability rating remains at 10 percent for flexion and 0 percent for extension.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise regarding their relationship to military service.

The Veteran's headaches are proximately due to his service-connected right knee condition, PTSD, and tinnitus. The Board has granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and right knee disability have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, including arthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right leg is also service connected. These decisions are based on evidence showing that his disabilities were aggravated by an in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, finding that there was no direct causation or aggravation of an existing condition during service. The evidence did not show any worsening beyond normal progression.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability is being remanded to obtain clarification on the specific diagnostic codes and functional impairments related to his condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and benefits were denied. The right lower extremity below the knee amputation is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5165.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his stump scar was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

Service connection for adult onset diabetes mellitus (ACE) is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim.,Service connection for right shoulder arthritis is granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current condition was related to service, specifically a football injury during active duty and subsequent treatment in service.,Service connection for left knee disability is denied. The Board concluded there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service or any nexus between the current condition and service-connected conditions.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted based on its manifestation in service and after separation from service.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced ringing in his ears since separation from service.

The Board has determined that the reductions in ratings for right knee chondromalacia patella and instability were improper due to failure to meet regulatory requirements. The effective dates remain unchanged.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his active military service. The pre-existing left knee meniscectomy residuals were not aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee disability, right knee disability, and right shoulder disability due to failure to obtain private orthopedic records from Western Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, P.C.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral elbow condition, bilateral foot condition, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, sinusitis, and migraine condition are denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.,Service connection for a bilateral elbow condition (claimed as joint pains) is denied because there is no current disability. Service connection for a bilateral foot condition, including plantar fasciitis, is denied due to lack of in-service incurrence and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development regarding service connection and TDIU due to issues with the current medical opinions provided.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including strain, degenerative arthritis, bursitis, and chondromalacia, is granted as service-connected. Other claims are either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as left knee disability have been granted.,An increased rating of 70 percent has also been granted for the Veteran's depressive disorder.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.,Claims to reopen service connection for erectile dysfunction, left shoulder disability, and right knee condition are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee subluxation and osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of symptoms.