Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, while his back disability is also rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support higher ratings for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions and examination reports.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected left hip and knee disabilities do not warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter, and the most probative evidence is against a finding that his current right knee disability is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle strain and bilateral knee strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right hip disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability was not aggravated by service, and therefore cannot be granted as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition and lumbar degenerative disc disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examination as some or all of his service treatment records may have been lost.

The Veteran's service-connected digestive disability, including GERD and dysphagia, is rated at 30 percent. The Board finds a separate rating of 10 percent for esophageal stricture under Diagnostic Code 7203.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective February 1, 2012. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his cervical spine disability, right and left knee disabilities, as well as, service connection for erectile dysfunction are remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of a lower back, left knee, or right knee and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and left knee disorders are at least as likely as not related to her military service, with resolution of reasonable doubt in her favor. The cervical spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder claims require additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty training and inactive duty training. The Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine if he has a current right knee disability related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal and bilateral knee disabilities were denied as he does not have current diagnoses of these conditions. His claim for a left eye disability was granted but assigned a non-compensable rating.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, a right wrist fracture with arthritis, and left knee strain (left knee mechanical derangement) were incurred or aggravated by service.,Service connection for currently diagnosed conditions of the lumbar spine, right wrist, and left knee are granted.

The Veteran's right knee arthroplasty with partial medial and lateral meniscectomy and chondroplasty is granted as service-connected. The hypertension issue remains unresolved, but the Veteran does not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any left knee disorder that may be present. The claim will also include proper notice on secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence added to the record and because statements of the case have not been issued for the diabetes and left knee disability claims. The hypertension claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability. The Veteran is also requested to provide updated contact information.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran was granted a noncompensable rating for his service-connected renal cell carcinoma of the left kidney since February 1, 2010, which was subsequently increased to 40 percent effective October 18, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative joint disease is proximately due to his service-connected bilateral knee patellar instability, and thus grants service connection for both left and right knee degenerative joint diseases.