Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's ankle, knee, and shoulder conditions did not manifest in service or within one year of discharge. The medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on a scheduler basis or an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including traumatic arthritis and total knee replacement, was evaluated as 10 percent prior to January 9, 2009; 100 percent from January 9, 2009; and 60 percent since March 1, 2010.

The Board found that the reduction from a 50% to a 10% rating for traumatic arthritis of the right knee was not warranted, as there was no actual improvement in the underlying condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability and renal dysfunction. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions as there is no evidence that they were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including lumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip, bilateral knees, jaw fracture residuals (temporomandibular joint), and left elbow disabilities, are granted.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis and instability have been granted service connection with a 10 percent disability rating effective August 14, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee disorder are all granted. The Board found that the Veteran had current diagnoses of tinnitus but not bilateral hearing loss or a right knee disorder.

The Veteran's arthritis of the bilateral knees, right hip, and lumbar spine are not related to service or any incident of service. The Board finds that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no current left knee disability and denied service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's right, cervical spine, and low back disabilities were not granted as service connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for facial scars, head injuries/headaches, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of all issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied multiple times, but the July 2009 rating decision granted them with an effective date of June 13, 2005. The Board determined that the effective date should be August 1, 1992, based on the receipt of official service treatment records from the service department.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is found to be secondary to his left knee disability, and he is granted service connection for a left knee disability. The rating for the right ankle disability remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion to address whether his lower back disorder, right knee disorder, and/or left knee disorder are caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are found to have originated during service, and he is granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at the highest available rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since the effective date of service connection, and no higher ratings are warranted based on current evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 30 percent from December 1, 2007 to August 19, 2009. From August 20, 2009 to July 20, 2010, the Veteran received a 60 percent rating for his left knee disability due to complications following prior surgery. For the period from September 1, 2011, through the remainder of the appeal period, he was rated at 30 percent.