Knee Board decisions

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased initial ratings for lumbar spondylosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative changes of the acromioclavicular joint of the right shoulder, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and residuals of a pudendal nerve injury. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected internal derangement of the right knee and DJD of the right knee have been denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to her active service, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection.,Similarly, the Board found no evidence of a current left knee disability within one year after discharge from service, and therefore cannot establish service connection based on chronicity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is remanded due to new and material evidence having been received. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and TDIU as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran needs a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disorder and whether he requires regular aid and attendance or is housebound due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (including his lumbar spine disorder) precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 26, 2015.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim for service connection, but concluded that there was no relationship between the Veteran's current left knee disability and his military service. The claim was therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure that his claims are properly adjudicated, including the need for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability. The case is being remanded for further development, including an examination by an orthopedist to determine the nature and likely etiology of his right knee disability.

The Veteran's joint pain in the low back, mid-back, bilateral knees and sensory changes is attributed to fibromyalgia due to medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness. The Board has granted service connection for these symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral knee disability did not undergo a permanent worsening during service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability did not manifest during service, within one year of separation, or was caused and/or aggravated by a service-connected right knee disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which affect a single body system (knees), are considered 'one disability' rated at 60 percent for TDIU purposes. The evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral knee disorder did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within one year of separation and is not otherwise related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and requests that the AOJ attempt to obtain or reconstruct these records using the Veteran's provided unit information.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee osteoarthritis is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by active service. The issues of bilateral hip replacements and knee disabilities are still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee arthritis, finding that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability did not manifest in service or within one year following his separation from service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.