Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his right ankle fracture, left knee injury based on instability, and left knee degenerative joint disease were denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis of the ankles or severe instability in the knees that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart disease is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion evidence regarding his current diagnosis and whether any heart disease is caused or made worse by his service-connected peripheral vascular disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings or a TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee disability, prior to October 17, 2007, was rated at 10 percent due to pain and functional loss but no additional limitation of motion. The current rating is appropriate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist, right knee, and skin disorder of the back were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are service-connected as they were incurred during his active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee tendonitis and prepatellar bursitis were incurred during active service, resolving all doubt in his favor. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's asthma was found to have existed prior to his period of service and not aggravated by it. The Board denied the claims for left and right knee disabilities due to incomplete records, but noted that VA efforts were unsuccessful in obtaining additional pertinent medical records from private providers.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee arthritis is at least as likely as not caused by her service-connected disabilities, including right hip bursitis, mechanical low back strain, left femoral neck stress fracture with hip bursitis, left knee musculoligamentous strain, right knee musculoligamentous strain, cervical spine condition, right ankle injury, and small muscle strain right foot with previous stress fractures.

The Veteran's service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) was denied, as the pre-existing pes planus did not worsen during service and the lumbar DDD and bilateral knee DJD are due to aging. The effective date of CAD service connection is set at February 23, 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including right elbow and knee conditions, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal disorder, and erectile dysfunction, were not incurred or aggravated during his period of active military service. The VA examiners provided opinions indicating these conditions are less likely related to service.

The Veteran's low back condition is related to his active service, and he has been granted service connection for this disability.,While the Veteran reported right knee pain during service, there is no evidence of DJD within one year post-service. The Board found that the current DJD of the right knee is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal of his claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of those appeals.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his current knee condition.

The Veteran's appeal of his service connection claims for residuals of a broken right fifth finger and residuals of a broken nose have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reopening of claims for left condition, right knee condition, and low back pain.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine DDD, left knee osteoarthropathy, and right knee osteoarthropathy as secondary to his service-connected hip fracture and replacement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee was reopened due to new and material evidence, and it is now granted.,Service connection for a right knee disability remains denied as there is no established link between current symptoms and service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for updated VA examinations and treatment records.