Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee disability and right femur disability with leg shortening. The Veteran seeks higher ratings, but the evidence does not support a finding that he meets or nearly approximates the criteria for any of the higher schedular ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected psychiatric disorder, heart murmur, right knee disability, left knee disability, low back disability, right ankle disability, or left ankle disability. The preponderance of evidence is against finding any relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee DJD has been evaluated at 10% since December 1, 2008. The VA examinations have consistently shown flexion limited to around 100 degrees in both knees, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral knee disabilities. The issues of service connection for right and left knee disabilities are also on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee sprain, status-post surgery with scars, is rated at 10 percent. The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of extension of the left knee. The Veteran was also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities and unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has manifested in at least slight instability since July 9, 2010. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for the entire claim period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as her claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD, a higher initial evaluation for PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Veteran is also advised that she must perfect her appeal of these issues by submitting a timely substantive appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type two, and bilateral peripheral neuropathies are granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including scheduling the Veteran for an examination to address the etiology of his claimed disabilities. The appeal will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for various disabilities, including those related to the lumbar spine, knees, erectile dysfunction, feet, and a creative organ. The appeals are dismissed as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and hemorrhoids are etiologically related to his active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities. The Board also found that these conditions are etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is currently pending and requires additional development of medical evidence, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left and right knee disabilities. The AOJ will then review the claims and readjudicate them.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, bilateral hip disorders, bilateral ankle disorders, and bilateral knee disorders have been granted a 100% evaluation effective August 27, 2015.,The Veteran's service-connected left and right shoulder osteopenia, left and right hip osteopenia with synovitis, right knee osteopenia/strain based on instability, and left knee osteopenia/strain based on instability have been granted a 20% evaluation effective September 10, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee advanced tricompartmental DJD and low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a secondary relationship between these conditions and his service-connected left knee severe tricompartmental DJD with effusion, pseudo laxity, and scar.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee advanced tricompartmental DJD and low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a secondary relationship between these conditions and his service-connected left knee severe tricompartmental DJD with effusion, pseudo laxity, and scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, finding that his initial claims were abandoned due to failure to provide necessary information about his separation from active duty. The Board also found that he was not entitled to an earlier effective date for his right knee and skin disabilities as they occurred after he had already left active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to assess limitation of motion and additional functional loss due to flare-ups. The Veteran is also entitled to separate ratings for post-operative right knee degenerative joint disease with scaring on the basis of symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage.

The Board has granted service connection for psychiatric disability, right knee disability, and residuals of a tibia fracture. However, the Veteran's initial ratings have not been increased beyond the assigned levels.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and knee disabilities did not arise during service or are otherwise related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of parvovirus B19 infection and Eustachian tube dysfunction are granted. The Board finds that the conditions were incurred in active service.