Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's degenerative changes of the left knee are rated at 10 percent, and his erectile dysfunction is not service-connected. The Board finds that both conditions meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing at the Atlanta RO.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left knee disorder did not aggravate beyond its natural progression by his May 2010 period of ACDUTRA, and thus denied service connection for a left knee disorder. The initial rating claim for the left shoulder disability was also denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability status post replacement surgery met the criteria for a 60 percent rating from November 1, 2008, through July 10, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The issues of reopening service connection for a left knee disability, entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, and entitlement to service connection for hypertension are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee meniscus tear with arthritis, finding that the Veteran's right knee disorder caused his left knee disability. Service connection was denied for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected Hailey-Hailey disease was a contributing factor to his right leg below the knee amputation, and thus secondary service connection for this condition is granted.

The VA determined that the appellant's right knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied her claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran developed bilateral knee strain and recurrent headaches as a result of her active service, including her service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Persian Gulf War. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on October 2, 2013 at JPI were not for an emergent condition and did not meet the prudent layperson standard. Therefore, payment or reimbursement is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional VA examination to determine the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The examiner must consider the Veteran's complaints of constant pain and occurrences of immobility due to his bilateral leg disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current sleep apnea, heart disorder, flat feet, back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder are not attributable to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings to 20 percent each, effective July 17, 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss and tinnitus are not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for left knee, sleep apnea, and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability. A new VA examination is needed to determine if a current left knee disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed joint disabilities, including cervical spine, bilateral shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees, are not service-connected as they do not have a direct link to his active duty service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and medial meniscectomy have been rated based on their current manifestations, with no additional rating granted for instability or flexion limitation.

The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia are each rated at 10 percent, with no higher ratings granted.,Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent. The cervical spine condition remains rated at 10 percent.,Propriety of separate ratings for radiculopathy in both upper and lower extremities has been addressed as part of the initial rating determinations.