Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee and hip conditions are not related to his active service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability (claimed as degenerative joint disease) and left foot and heel disability, finding no current evidence of a chronic disability. The Veteran's complaints were not supported by medical records or examinations.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not related to service, as there was no threshold shift during service and the current condition did not manifest within one year of separation. The left ear hearing loss preexisted service and is not aggravated by service.,The Veteran's low back disorder and right knee disorder are not related to service, as symptoms were not chronic in service or continuous after service separation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities was denied. The initial rating of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease from September 14, 2007 to December 3, 2007 and the subsequent 30 percent rating for residuals of a total knee arthroplasty from February 1, 2009 to October 19, 2009 were both denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's right knee disability with instability and limitation of flexion due to meniscus tear, effective from the date of the claim. The Veteran's symptoms include pain, swelling, frequent locking, and weakness in his right knee.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar disc disease with left lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disorders. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for various conditions have become moot.

The Veteran's service-connected right leg/knee disability, characterized as residuals of a fracture and progressive arthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5261 for limitation of flexion to 110 degrees with pain. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating have been met.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to a higher initial rating for adjustment disorder and service connection for a bilateral hand/finger disability. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as it began during service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The reduction of the rating for back disability from 40% to 20% is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder, knee, and low back disorders are not related to service or any incident of service. As a result, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the knees and left hip is found to have originated in service, with his complaints dating back to shortly after service. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each, based on painful motion. The VA examiners found no ankylosis, instability, or other conditions that would warrant higher ratings under other applicable codes. The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU rating due to her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right knee disability and bilateral foot disability are related to his active service. The claims for both conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, back, and headache disabilities are not related to his service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability. The appeal will be considered after these steps are completed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an error in obtaining private treatment records from Dr. R. Dawson.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability does not warrant a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent, and denied his request for an earlier effective date.