Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of PTSD, right knee disability, and eczema for additional development. The Veteran must be provided with a statement of the case on these issues.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at the highest available rating of 20 percent each, effective from October 10, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, laxity and instability of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, laxity and instability of the left knee, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent. The effective date is not specified.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for shrapnel wounds of the right knee, concluding that there is insufficient medical evidence linking the current condition to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee replacement residuals are related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection is granted. However, there is no evidence linking any current left shoulder disability to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and secondary service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral region. The heart disability and bilateral hearing loss disability claims were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including knee and ankle disabilities. The Board finds that some of these claims are based on secondary theories of entitlement to the right knee disability. The appeal is therefore considered 'mixed' as it includes both granted and denied issues.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 40 percent from March 1, 2009 to March 17, 2013 and increased to 60 percent effective March 18, 2013. The PTSD rating remained at 30 percent.

The Board has granted initial 10 percent disability ratings for the Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted increased initial evaluations for various spinal and joint disabilities, but denied service connection for hypertension and sinusitis.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent prior to September 1, 2010 and has been restored to a 20 percent rating effective that date.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, to include as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues except the right shoulder replacement with osteoarthritis. The Board dismissed the appeals of the remaining issues.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and hemorrhoids, but denied the claims for left and right knee disorders due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and for effective dates prior to March 9, 2007, and September 28, 2010, for right knee disabilities. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's December 14, 2012 statements do not constitute a valid Notice of Disagreement (NOD) or new claim for CUE as to the March 1971 rating decision. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected DJD of the right knee has been denied. The evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 1, 2012 or 30 percent since that date.