Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the appellant's complete military service, obtain relevant medical records, and provide a VA examination for his left knee disorder. The case will be returned to the AOJ after these actions are completed.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee disability, cervical condition with neuropathy, headaches, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's previous claims were denied in October 1999, March 2006, and November 2006.,The Board is evaluating whether new evidence has been submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings involving bilateral hearing loss and his right and left knee disabilities prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's residuals of a right patella fracture, including traumatic effusion and patellar grinding, are found to be related to service. The Board is granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has not been shown to be related to service. The claims for bilateral hip and ankle disabilities have no evidence of current conditions during the appeal period. Service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative osteoarthritis with associated degenerative meniscal tear of the right knee with parameniscal cyst formation and degenerative osteoarthritis of the left knee, medial compartment with associated varus, was incurred in active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence, which requires a VA examination. The issues will be reconsidered after the examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been evaluated at a 10 percent rating since August 1999. The most recent VA examination found no additional limitation in range of motion after repetitive use, and the Veteran does not have instability or subluxation. Therefore, an increased rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left hip osteoarthrosis, as well as his bilateral knee disabilities (including medial meniscus tear), and tinnitus are all directly related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions have been granted.

The VA denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee patellar tendonitis and right ankle degenerative joint disease, as there is no evidence showing that these conditions result in limitation of motion to a degree warranting higher ratings.,VA found that the Veteran’s symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for either his right knee patellar tendonitis or right ankle degenerative joint disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service. The VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left leg and knee disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee DJD and peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities are not etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected conditions did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 30 percent from February 13, 2008, forward.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim can be decided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an opinion regarding the etiology of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left knee disability to account for his symptoms and finds no evidence of service connection or aggravation of an existing condition. The claim is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or loss of use of upper or lower extremities, blindness in both eyes, anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands, deep partial or full thickness or subdermal burns, or residuals of an inhalation injury. Therefore, he is not entitled to specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his bilateral knee and foot disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an orthopedic examination of the Veteran's right knee.