Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are not service-connected. The acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder) is also denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for his knee disabilities were denied by the Board.

The Veteran's right knee retropatellar syndrome with sprain warrants a 10 percent rating for pain and limitation of motion, and a separate 10 percent rating for recurrent subluxations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as the evidence did not support granting higher disability ratings or a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia patella have been rated at the highest possible initial rating of 10 percent, as there is no additional limitation in range of motion after repetitive use testing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with an opportunity to submit or authorize VA to obtain private medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered in combination, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as she does not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating due to her service-connected knee disabilities, which are currently rated at 10 percent each.

The Board has remanded the appeal for further development due to scheduling issues and the Veteran's failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the requested development is completed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's valgus deformity. The claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to consider his reported symptoms and treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation during any of the periods under consideration.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the lumbar spine strain from April 3, 2009 to February 23, 2012 and reduced it to 10 percent from August 14, 2013. The Veteran's PTSD appeal was withdrawn at the hearing. No TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's appeal was not timely filed, and therefore the September 2008 rating decision denying service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and assigning an initial 30 percent evaluation for PTSD is maintained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. The remaining claims for right shoulder, right knee, left knee, and bilateral foot disorders are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss disability has been reopened and is now considered. The VA audiological examination report shows that the Veteran currently has a diagnosed hearing loss disability, which was not present during service or within one year of separation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and service connection for pancreas failure, renal failure (including as due to diabetes mellitus, type 2), hypertension (including as due to diabetes mellitus, type 2), and diabetes mellitus, type 2. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of chronic bronchitis and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and left knee disability are currently rated as 10% each under DCs 5276 and 5284 respectively.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling since June 7, 2002. The ratings are based on limitation of motion due to arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.