Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle strain is currently rated at 10 percent, effective October 27, 2011. The appeal for a higher initial rating remains pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder and finds that it is related to her service-connected left knee osteoarthritis. The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis, as well as the TDIU issue, are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to conflicting information regarding his post-1971 service and the need for further examination. The issues of reopening the claim and secondary service connection are also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, arthritis of both wrists and shoulders, gout, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for DJD of both knees. The issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination reports and the need for further medical opinions on various issues.

The Board has granted service connection for ear fungus and separate ratings for instability of the right knee and degenerative arthritis, but denied higher disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of service personnel records and an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability. The Veteran is entitled to further examination and consideration.

From April 1, 2010 to April 29, 2014, the Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 30 percent. From April 30, 2014, the Veteran's left knee disability is now rated at 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee as secondary to his service-connected ankle disabilities. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to clarify whether he currently has this condition and if it is caused by his ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension is service-connected and rated at 10 percent. The left leg disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, with no higher rating warranted due to the absence of instability or other significant functional loss. The right knee disability is also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee, elbow, and hip disabilities. However, the evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected fractured right femur and associated hip and knee disabilities have been evaluated at 20% since June 14, 2011. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation for the period prior to that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The issues of increased evaluations for PTSD and left knee disability are also pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the case can be decided. This includes obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination for the Veteran's left knee and left ankle disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left foot, and left ankle disorders are not related to his military service. The COPD claim is also denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and adjustment disorder. The Board also found that the Veteran's right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the knees was incurred in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral shoulder condition, and right knee condition. These conditions are deemed to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.