Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and is therefore dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse, joint pain, or right knee degenerative joint disease. The claim for service connection for migraine headaches is denied as there is no evidence linking the Veteran's symptoms to his active duty service. Service connection for hypertension is denied due to lack of medical evidence establishing its onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that Agent Orange exposure, in and of itself, is not a disability subject to service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip and right knee disorders. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide a VA examination regarding the left hip disorder, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, headache disability, and sleep apnea are all service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during service and persists to this day, granting service connection for tinnitus. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot gout as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral patellar tendinitis (jumper's knee), bilateral shin splints, and elbow osteoarthritis. The remaining claims of service connection for sleep apnea, TBI including headaches and seizures, and a disorder of the thoracic and/or lumbar spine are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, back disorder, neck disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. However, the Veteran's military service is not shown to have aggravated his pre-existing left ear hearing loss or caused any of these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis has been rated as 10 percent disabling, with separate ratings for instability and removal of meniscus. The Veteran's left hand disorder claim was withdrawn by the Veteran.,A rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted for chronic lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees are denied as there is no evidence showing limitation of extension to 15 degrees or limitation of flexion to 30 degrees prior to July 30, 2013.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is not a residual of his service-connected IBM and was not caused or aggravated by any other aspect of service.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and lateral instability, as well as his left knee osteoarthritis and lateral instability, are all rated at the lowest possible compensable levels. The Board found that there was no evidence of limitation of motion to a non-compensable degree in any knee joint.

The Board found no evidence of a leg or knee disability during service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection as there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of torn medial and lateral menisci and DJD of the left knee, finding that these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities of his feet. The rating assigned is 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee condition, diagnosed as osteoarthritis status-post total knee replacement, was not shown to be related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that it resulted from injury during military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the basis of exposure to ionizing radiation during active service was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal regarding these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of her service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability was manifested by swelling, pain, locking, chronic slight medial collateral instability, effusions, complex semilunar cartilage tear, and limited extension. The Board granted a rating of 10 percent for right knee instability from May 1993 to September 26, 2003, and a separate 20 percent disability rating for right knee complex semilunar cartilage tear with episodes of locking, pain, and effusion during the same period. A 10 percent disability rating was also granted for limited extension of the right knee effective July 14, 2003.