Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's hypertension and left knee disability are found to have onset during his periods of service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's chronic left knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is found to have been incurred during his period of active duty service. The Board grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left above-the-knee amputation and lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease are denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation under applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and lumbar spine disability, as well as his bilateral knee disabilities including DJD, are not service-connected. The evidence does not show any chronic symptoms of these conditions during service or for many years after separation from service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back and right knee disabilities are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disorder, nor do they otherwise relate to service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee laxity and left knee arthritis have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 21, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder and left knee disabilities, finding new and material evidence. The claims are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for acne and awarded a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, but further development is needed to determine if additional VA compensation is warranted for her left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury and increased ratings for his knee disabilities were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current symptoms to service, particularly not during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, left hip injury, and right knee injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and VA treatment records. The Board will also seek a medical opinion on the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board found no evidence of an in-service incurrence or aggravation of the claimed cervical spine, back, left knee, and right knee disorders. The Veteran's current disabilities are not presumed due to service in Vietnam.

The RO reduced the evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected right knee scar from 10 percent to noncompensable, effective April 1, 2011. The reduction was proper as it had been in effect for less than five years.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and right knee disabilities, including obtaining medical opinions on their etiology.

The Veteran's right knee strain is manifested by pain on motion, with flexion to 90 degrees and full extension without subluxation or instability. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction, hip strain, or ischemic heart disease. The claim for weight gain is denied as obesity is not considered a disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for asthma, right upper extremity periostitis, left upper extremity periostitis, major depression with anxiety (psychiatric disability), and left knee strain with iliotibial band syndrome. The initial ratings were all increased to 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the current bilateral knee disability is likely due to service. Service connection was also granted for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, but a secondary service connection claim for this condition remains pending.