Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate examination report.

The Veteran's left and right knee chondromalacia patellae have been productive of pain, locking, crepitus, no more than slight instability and limitation of flexion to no less than 90 degrees. The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for each knee under DC 5257 for slight lateral instability and a separate 20 percent rating for each knee under DC 5258 to compensate her for episodes of locking and crepitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for multiple service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for increased ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including gathering of records and scheduling of VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a separate 20 percent rating for other impairment of the left knee due to meniscal tear. The primary issue regarding recurrent subluxation and lateral instability remains at 20 percent.

The Board has not conducted the required development to identify and obtain all relevant treatment records, nor has it scheduled a VA examination. The case is being remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The left knee issue remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the Board has dismissed all pending claims.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 60 percent rating for his service-connected right knee ankylosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee patella-femoral syndrome and osteoarthritis, as well as L4-L5 bulging disc with moderate spinal canal stenosis (degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine), both secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder. The claim for chronic dermatitis remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for total right knee arthroplasty is granted. The claim for service connection for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as a result of herbicide exposure during service is also granted on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been raised by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected.,Service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, left knee, low back disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder are granted as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a right foot bunionectomy.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, left and right knee conditions, left and right hip conditions, a cervical spine condition, arthritis of multiple joints, and an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating of 40 percent for back disability, including radiculopathy, was granted with a current effective date of March 11, 2010. Effective dates were also established for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and tinnitus on the same day.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has determined that his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and records, as well as for further development of the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure all relevant records are associated with the claims file.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of right elbow, left elbow, and left foot plantar fasciitis.,A left knee disorder is related to a service-connected disability.