Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis and instability of the knees.

The Veteran seeks higher evaluations for his service-connected dorsolumbar myositis and left knee strain, as well as entitlement to reopen a claim of service connection for hepatitis C.,His hepatitis C claim is being remanded for an etiological opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination with range of motion testing on weight-bearing.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's right knee disability and did not grant entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, diabetes mellitus type II, cubital tunnel syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and PTSD have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was reopened based on his assertion that he was diagnosed with diabetes during active duty.

The Board finds the Veteran's left ankle condition is etiologically related to her service-connected left knee instability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right elbow disorder appeal was withdrawn.,Service connection for hearing loss and low back disorders is not warranted as the evidence does not show a current disability or link to service.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted as there is no doubt that it began during service and is related to noise exposure in service.,The Veteran's right and left knee disorders are not service-connected as there is no probative evidence of a chronic disorder since service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disability related to the bilateral knees, shoulders, hands, back, and elbows is not etiologically related to his military service or a service-connected condition. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board granted service connection for the appellant's right knee disability and assigned an initial rating of 20 percent effective September 9, 2010. The cervical spine disability was also granted with a separate initial rating of 10 percent effective September 9, 2010. The TDIU claim is still pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left knee and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a bilateral knee disorder, finding that new evidence did not raise the possibility of substantiating these claims. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions regarding the relationship between a documented in-service left knee injury and current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, with resolution of reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her left knee disabilities and consideration of functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to several issues, including a need for new VA opinions on left knee and ankle disorders, low back disorder, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran does not have a current left ankle condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,The Veteran does not have a current right shoulder condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current right shoulder condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current lumbar spine condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,The Veteran does not have a current bone condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,The Veteran does not have a current right hand carpal tunnel syndrome condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current right hand carpal tunnel syndrome condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current left hand carpal tunnel syndrome condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current left hand carpal tunnel syndrome condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current right knee condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current right knee condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current left knee condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current left knee condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current right hip condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,The Veteran does not have a current left hip condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of right knee stress fracture was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or arthritis, as there was no compensable limitation of flexion or extension and no arthritis providing additional basis for a separate rating.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with no additional functional loss due to pain or other factors. The current ratings are deemed appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum to the January 2017 VA examination report.