Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux esophagitis, sinusitis, right knee arthroscopic surgery (status post), and left knee strain have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 1, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities are rated at 20 percent each, the maximum schedular rating for arthritis with instability of a joint. The ratings reflect the severity of his symptoms including pain, weakness, fatigability, and lack of endurance.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is not service-connected as it did not manifest during service or within the applicable presumptive period, and there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service. The VA examiner found that the current right knee disorder is unrelated to service.,Asthma was not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and is unrelated to service or to a disease or injury of service origin.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and hip disabilities, to include as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis with pharyngitis is rated at 10 percent, while his degenerative arthritis of the right knee and left knee are currently not assigned a rating due to lack of evidence indicating service connection theory other than direct.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and ACL insufficiency with medial meniscal tear, is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability. The claim is being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his total knee replacement, is rated at 30 percent since October 1, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and left knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the latter claim. The decision also noted that the in-service high blood pressure readings were not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, right shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability are being remanded due to the Veteran not appearing for scheduled VA examinations. The AOJ must verify that notice was sent to the correct address and reschedule the appellant for new VA examinations.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current left knee degenerative joint disease is less likely related to his active service or his National Guard training, and most likely due to natural progression of the disease due to age or other causes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current nature and extent of the Veteran's right knee disability. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond to the supplemental statement of the case.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, right knee, and left hip disabilities were not related to service. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and Morton's neuroma of the left foot have been denied, while his claim to reopen a previous denial regarding Morton's neuroma has been granted. His initial increased rating claim for his left knee disability remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is rated at 30 percent since February 1, 2014.,The Veteran's service-connected left knee instability and right knee instability are both rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request. Service connection for hypertension is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination. The issues are whether the Veteran has degenerative joint disease of his right knee and left knee that is related to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for arthritis due to trauma, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability for most of the conditions he is seeking service connection for, and there is no evidence linking these disabilities to his active duty service.