Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a low back disorder or chronic headache disorder (migraines) incurred in service. The Veteran's left knee and left ankle disorders are not shown to be related to her period of active duty.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and a right knee disability, as well as the claims of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder, left knee, bilateral leg, and right ankle disabilities. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Board found that the appellant did not sustain trauma to his left hand during service and therefore denied service connection for residuals of trauma to the fingers of the left hand. The right ankle disability claim is pending due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU were denied. The right knee disorder was rated as 10% prior to May 26, 2010 and from that date onwards. The low back disorder was not rated higher than 10%. Extraschedular ratings were also denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and calf pain. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for initial compensable disability ratings for various conditions, as well as service connection for PTSD, anxiety, right ear hearing loss, bilateral chondromalacia of the knees (secondary to periostitis), and bilateral restless leg syndrome. The case is being remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be decided, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder had its onset during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations. The issues of service connection for left and right knee disabilities and sleep apnea are being remanded.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to service-connected PTSD and SMC at the housebound rate based on his additional service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right or left knee disability and therefore, service connection for these disabilities is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right shoulder, bilateral knee, and toe disorders are not service-connected as they did not manifest during her military service or within one year of separation. The gynecological disorder is also not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral knee conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected gunshot wound, left knee degenerative joint disease, and left ankle degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's additional disabilities, including dermatitis of the hands, back pain, right leg pain, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, are not service-connected as a result of VA treatment for his total knee arthroplasty. The Board finds that there is no legal basis to consider these conditions secondary to residuals of right total knee arthroplasty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and a right knee disability, as well as his claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to excessive income.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating on an extraschedular basis due to marked interference with employment and frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examination reports.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities do not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as there was no evidence of limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a higher evaluation.