Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability, manifested by flexion limited to 100 degrees and extension limited to zero degrees with pain on range of motion testing, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, which includes chondromalacia patella and a status post reconstruction, does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for his bilateral knee conditions, PTSD, or hearing loss/tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee status post-arthroscopy and partial meniscectomy, but denied service connection for right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip and left leg/knee disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and no medical opinion linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and service connection is granted.,Service connection is also granted for a right knee disability. The Veteran's left shoulder disability remains at the initial 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 40 percent effective July 28, 2016. The Board found that his service-connected right knee strain warranted a higher initial rating of 10 percent and denied the claims for left knee disability and TDIU.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus claim is denied. The Board finds that the weight of the evidence does not support a finding that her bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service or her service-connected knee disabilities. For her right knee disability, the Board finds no basis to grant an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to November 9, 2009, and grants a 60 percent rating as of that date. The Veteran's left knee disability is also rated at 60 percent since November 9, 2009.

For the period beginning September 24, 2013 and ending April 12, 2017, your right knee disability has been evaluated at a 30% rating for limitation of extension. The evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives, requiring additional development and an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has found that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder and TB do not have a direct relationship to his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease, nor is there any probative medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at a maximum of 50 percent since January 11, 2006. The Veteran's migraines are currently rated at 30 percent and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee), patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee), major depressive disorder, hallux valgus of the feet, and irritable bowel syndrome are all rated at their maximum schedular ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and arranging for medical examinations to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities. The issues include reopening a claim for low back disability, as well as claims for right foot, ankle, knee, and heart disabilities.

The Veteran's right lower radiculopathy was reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable effective February 11, 2009. The Board restored the original rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU rating as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's chest pain and right knee disorder have been found to be related to his military service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied service connection.,For the period prior to June 29, 2015, a rating of 10 percent for traumatic arthritis of the right knee is granted. After that date, a rating of 40 percent is granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability is not warranted.,For the period prior to June 29, 2015, a rating of 10 percent for traumatic arthritis of the left knee is granted. After that date, a rating of 40 percent is granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee instability is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability secondary to service-connected left foot paresthesia, and hypertension is not considered service connected.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and chronic vaginal infections. The conditions are found to be related to her military service.