Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee, left arm, and left shoulder disorders are not related to his military service. The VA examinations did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right shoulder disability that is service-connected, and therefore denied his claim for service connection for this condition. The left knee issue remains pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the right knee secondary issue.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been granted, but the initial ratings for these conditions prior to specific dates are being remanded. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as the criteria were not met at the time of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right or left knee disability that was incurred in service and is not related to any inservice injury. The Veteran's current diagnoses are attributed to post-service occupational injuries.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee condition was aggravated by events during his active service.

The Veteran's reactive airway disease is rated at 30 percent effective October 25, 2013. His musculoskeletal strain of the lumbosacral spine remains rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's ACL deficiency of the left knee is rated at 10 percent from January 2, 2007 to March 13, 2007.

The Veteran's left knee injuries and DJD are currently rated based on their service-connected status.,A separate rating is granted for the history of a partial meniscectomy in the left knee.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show any chronic conditions in service or within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claimed right knee disability, left leg stress fracture, and generalized osteoarthritis are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active service or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's right knee condition was manifested by limited extension and a torn medial meniscus, resulting in a 30 percent rating since October 29, 2009.,A separate 20 percent rating for the torn medial meniscus is granted from January 25, 2007.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 2, 2012 for the assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for a scar of the right knee. The Veteran's claim was not reopened as he did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied low back disability claim.

The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 10 percent, and the issue of service connection for left knee instability has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and private medical records. Additionally, new VA examinations are required for the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found no evidence of a right knee disorder in service or within one year following separation, and concluded that the current right knee disability is not related to his service-connected low back condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to PTSD. His CAD is rated at 60 percent, and he is granted a separate initial rating of 10 percent for the left knee due to symptomatic removal of cartilage.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not linked to service and thus, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not causally or etiologically related to his active service and therefore, denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty service is needed, and also requests additional service treatment records. The Veteran's claim for left knee disability will be remanded to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each, based on limitation of motion. The Board finds no basis to assign a higher rating at any time during the appeal period.