Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to incomplete development, including failure to adjudicate certain referred issues. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, little finger, and knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is not productive of actual or functional extension limited to 10 degrees, actual or functional flexion limited to 30 degrees, recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, ankylosis, dislocated cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint, impairment of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum. Therefore, his claim for a higher initial evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities have been denied. The VA has not provided a rating in excess of the current assigned disability ratings.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, left ankle, right knee with degenerative changes, and left knee conditions do not meet or approximate criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran is currently entitled to a 10 percent rating for his service-connected right knee disability due to limited extension, and an additional 10 percent rating based on painful flexion. These ratings are effective from August 31, 2006.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the ratings in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and for status post lumbar laminectomy and discectomy of L5-S1 with chronic pain syndrome and right leg radiculopathy, excluding periods of temporary 100 percent ratings.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral knee disorder. The Board has determined that the current examination and evidence do not fully address her claim, particularly regarding in-service treatment and symptoms.

The Board found that the appellant's current bilateral knee disability and arthritis were not incurred during his active duty service, and denied these claims. The claim for fibromyalgia was also denied as there are no records available from Dr. A.S.

The Board denied service connection for right hip and knee disorders, metallic fragments in the left chest, and diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant a compensable evaluation, and his claims for other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's residuals of injury to the left knee are manifested by pain, stiffness, and occasional instability. However, his range of motion is limited to no worse than 120 degrees flexion and 10 degrees extension with no additional limitations on repetitive motion. The VA examiners found no instability or laxity during testing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated examination reports and an addendum opinion regarding his service-connected left knee disabilities and their relationship to his right knee and low back conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private records, scheduling a new examination if necessary, and providing an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee and low back disorders are not related to his active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disability, and traumatic brain injury residuals are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after service. The Board also found that any current bilateral knee disability is less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need to determine his active duty and ACDUTRA dates, as well as provide a VA examination to address whether his current knee disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.