Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's knee and elbow disabilities are not etiologically linked to his active duty service, including as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and arthritis, was granted an increased rating of 20 percent effective from February 17, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are not etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all claims have been dismissed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left knee arthritis is related to an in-service injury, and thus grants service connection for a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity prior to October 30, 2015 that they preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability and subluxation have been granted a 20 percent rating effective from December 6, 2016. The claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis is pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right hand, and right jaw disorders as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his level of education and work history.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected left knee disorder has been denied as the evidence does not show that he is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment solely due to this disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including meniscal sprain and instability, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period of time.

The Veteran's left knee disability, chronic fatigue, and respiratory disorder are presumed to be related to his service in the Gulf War. The Board granted these claims based on presumptive service connection for undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss disability of the right ear and an initial compensable rating for hearing loss disability of the left ear, have been denied. The Veteran has not presented evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone, are not of such severity to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected chondromalacia patella of both knees. The AOJ will then consider the claims based on all available evidence and legal authority.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his right knee conditions prior to November 17, 2014 or after December 17, 2015. Service connection for a right shoulder condition was also denied as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability based on receipt of new and material evidence. However, further development is needed to determine if there is a relationship between his current left knee disability and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot, knee, hip, and COPD disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active service or within one year of discharge. The preexisting pes planus was not aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between any current disability and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examination and consideration of newly submitted private treatment records. The Veteran's right knee disability is being evaluated based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.