Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate compensable ratings were denied. The right knee disability was rated at 10% prior to March 28, 2011, and a separate rating of 10% for symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage was granted. The initial rating for the post-operative partial excision olecranon of the right elbow was granted but not in excess of 10%. A higher rating for limitation of pronation of the right elbow was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the appropriate ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities.,The Veteran has been granted increased ratings for some of his service-connected conditions, but remains entitled to higher ratings for others.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The VA has determined that the current evaluations do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for heart disorder, low back disorder, bilateral hip disorders, and bilateral knee disorders to include secondary to rheumatic fever due to an unresolved claim of service connection for rheumatic fever.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for left knee pain, bilateral hearing loss, back disability, skin lesions, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's tinea cruris and herpes zoster were granted service connection. The Board also found that the evidence was at least in equipoise for his other conditions, including right ear hearing loss disability, costochondritis, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, psoriasis, heart disability, hypertension, IBS, cholecystectomy, and thyroid disability.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disability, a left shoulder disability, a low back disability, and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities as there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The back, knee, and psychiatric disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's current knee conditions are being evaluated again by VA medical personnel.

The Board dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions, including muscle spasms, lumbar and cervical spine disorders, hip, knee, ankle, and leg disorders, PTSD, GERD with chronic gastritis and duodenitis, and eczematous dermatitis. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's DJD of the right knee is rated at 20 percent, effective January 30, 2009. His instability of the right knee remains at a 10 percent rating. The Board denied his claims for higher ratings and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities as the evidence did not show they were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral hip and knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these disabilities are secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease and diabetes mellitus with hypertension, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating and increased ratings for his right knee disability is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess current functional limitations during flare-ups, as well as vocational rehabilitation records.

The claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is reopened, and the Board finds that additional development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right hip, left hip, right leg, and left leg disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The cervical spine and shoulder disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a skin disability, have been denied. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression) has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee DJD and patellofemoral syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the functional impact of flare-ups on his range of motion, as well as his ability to meet job demands.