Knee Board decisions

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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's asthma was found to have existed prior to service and not aggravated by service. The left knee disability is denied as well, with the Veteran scheduled for a VA examination to determine its current severity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection and increased ratings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's low back, bilateral hip, and left knee disabilities are being remanded for additional examination and opinion regarding their relationship to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral knee disability and neurological disability of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee strain and hypertension, finding no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The claim for right ear hearing loss was also denied as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals, left knee injury, to include osteoarthritis and meniscectomy, are not etiologically related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of her service-connected right knee disability and additional development of her claims file.

The Board has found that additional development is required before the claims on appeal are decided, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hip, knee, and ankle disabilities remain inextricably intertwined with the issue of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of right hip, right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in 1968. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and left knee disabilities are denied as there is no factual basis to grant these claims prior to March 14, 2011.

The Board has determined that the appellant did not serve on active duty and was not disabled from a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during his period of ACDUTRA. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for status as a veteran for purposes of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee arthritis is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 80 percent, which meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities and grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing. The issues on appeal are related to service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine has been rated at 40 percent, effective January 26, 2012. The rating is based on limitation of motion and does not include IVDS or radiculopathy.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are found to be related to his military service. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy due to cold injury in service, which is considered as part of the same claim.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia patella has been primarily manifested by joint pain and tenderness, with full extension and no subluxation or instability. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.