Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lower back, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been denied. The VA has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current knee, back, and shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is productive of painful flexion and frequent episodes of 'locking' pain, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating or a separate 20 percent rating for dislocation of cartilage semilunar with frequent episodes of 'locking' pain and effusion into the joint.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral foot disability, low back disability, right hip and knee disabilities, have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from March 8, 2006 to September 23, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left shoulder disability and bilateral knee disabilities, likely render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's disability rating for residuals of a left total knee replacement has been increased to 60 percent and no higher since September 1, 2015.

The Veteran's right knee disorder and lumbar spine disability have been granted service connection, with the right knee disorder being secondary to his lumbar spine disability. The initial rating for his lumbar spondylosis has been increased to 20 percent prior to January 19, 2012, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for a hearing, and the Board received notification of this withdrawal prior to any decision being made.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left knee osteoarthritis is granted as the evidence supports an in-service injury and current disability, with continuity of symptoms since separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to an injury during active service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is related to her active duty service and has granted her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of the record.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral knee DJD, finding that there is no evidence linking her current condition to her active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee condition is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding her left knee strain and right knee disability, as well as her psychiatric disorder and costochondritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The right ear hearing loss and right knee disorder claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, as well as whether any pre-existing condition became manifest within one year of service discharge. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability related to his military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection. The right knee issue is pending as it requires additional development.

The Board denied the reduction of ratings for right and left knee disabilities from 10% to noncompensable, finding that there was no evidence of improvement warranting such a reduction.,The Veteran's PTSD disability is rated at 30%, effective May 12, 2014. The remaining issues related to knees and thoracic spine are not addressed in this decision.