Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and left knee instability were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and earlier effective date for her right knee disability was granted. She currently has a 10 percent rating for her service-connected right knee disability, which includes limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative joint disease and bilateral knee disability are found to be service-connected as they are proximately due to his service-connected right ankle and foot disabilities. Effective July 18, 2006, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on these service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for patellofemoral chondromalacia of the bilateral knee. The remaining issues on appeal (pseudofolliculitis barbae, ear condition, eye disorder, and migraines) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after the completion of these actions.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been rated at 40 percent since October 24, 2013. Prior to this date, the knees were evaluated under different codes (DC 5262 for tibia and fibula impairment and DC 5257 for instability).

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires an addendum to address whether any current left knee condition is etiologically related to any symptomatology noted in service.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his back disability, have been granted a 100 percent evaluation based on the total left knee replacement effective April 19, 2016. The remaining issues remain on appeal.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a bilateral knee disability due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is found to be related to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for undiagnosed right and left knee joint pain, as well as bilateral hip degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's symptoms of knee and hip pain have been found to be due to a qualifying chronic disability related to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's upper back disability and right knee injury are related to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions under the theory of direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities did not originate in service or within a year of service, and are not otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder is granted. However, his claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus and other issues remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left knee disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a right knee disability or left knee disability, as his current disabilities are more likely due to post-service activities and do not have a direct link to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and does not support granting service connection for this condition.