Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right and left knee conditions are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology and whether they are service-connected.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and degenerative joint disease, is related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability and granted service connection. However, there is no established diagnosis of ankylosis in his left knee, thus preventing the grant of service connection for that condition.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and service personnel records, as well as a VA opinion regarding the Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis, right foot paralysis, and bilateral knee disorders.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is etiologically related to his military service. The Veteran meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his in-service neck injury and granted service connection.,There is no evidence of a current hip or thigh disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.,There is no evidence of a current groin disorder (including inguinal hernia and epididymitis), and thus service connection for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was noted on his service entrance examination and did not increase in severity during service, so service connection is denied. His arthritis of the feet is also denied as it did not manifest within one year after service or to a compensable degree.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied because there is no evidence of chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's left knee arthritis is denied as it manifested many years after service and is not related to his in-service knee injury. Similarly, the right knee arthritis is also denied.,reasoning for decision_summary_1

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated as 10 percent for limitation of extension, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. The tinea unguium is not compensable.,The Veteran's tinea unguium affects less than 5% of her body or part, and no systemic therapy has been required.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than December 21, 1999 for the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of service connection were denied. The left knee disability was rated at 10 percent, with no higher rating possible due to flexion limitation. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for instability. Service connection for right knee disorder and low back disorder could not be reopened based on the evidence.

The Board has determined that the payment of $6,249.74 in attorney fees for representation from October 2012 to September 2014 is not reasonable and therefore denied.

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

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for his right great toe or cervical spine disabilities. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for radiculopathy and TMJ disability were granted, but not earlier than April 6, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding several issues, including service connection for various conditions. The current ratings for bilateral pes planus and hearing loss are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to address functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disorders due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's patellar chondromalacia, left knee, resulted in symptoms such as painful motion and reduced range of motion but did not result in limitation of extension to 30-39 degrees. The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee prosthesis disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and his current left hand disability is not presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection for a left hand condition remains pending.