Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, allergic rhinitis, heart murmur, mitral valve prolapse, and right knee pain are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his military service or otherwise related to such service.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 0 percent since September 12, 2008. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease was rated at 20 percent effective June 8, 2012. The increased rating for sinusitis remains pending as the RO granted a 10 percent evaluation but did not address higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, right knee, and right wrist disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee disability based on frequent episodes of locking, joint pain, and effusion prior to October 8, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for evaluations of subluxation of the patella in both knees have been granted, with each knee receiving a 10 percent disability rating effective June 23, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracic spine and bilateral knee disabilities are as likely as not related to his service, including heavy loads he carried during training. As a result, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of ingrown toenails, left great toe and hypertension. The rating for chondromalacia, status post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with residual scars, left knee remains at 10 percent.

The Board finds the Veteran does not have a current right knee disability that was caused or aggravated by his lumbar spine disability or his active service. The preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim seeking service connection for a right knee disability, to include as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine herniated disc with sciatica.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated during his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability has been granted, with the assigned rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral knee disorders are not deemed to be the result of VA carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill. The Board finds that the additional disabilities were not caused by VA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back strain and bilateral knee strain are related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left and right knee disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims.