Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for her right knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim are also being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, and left shoulder disability. The claims are based on direct evidence of a link between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to support the claims of PTSD, left knee condition, and heart condition.,The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety disorder related to his service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War.

The Veteran's left shoulder scar is rated at 10 percent, effective as of the date of this decision. The right ankle disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been evaluated at 10 percent since January 22, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hand and finger condition, left ear hearing loss, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, allergies, onychomycosis of the great toes, and anterior chest wart cyst were denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hand and finger condition was reopened but remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left knee osteoarthritis, status post medial meniscus tear does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability was denied, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted under any applicable diagnostic codes. The issue of service connection for a left knee disability (secondary to the service-connected right knee disability) has been referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (Depressive Disorder), and chronic headaches were denied. The Board found no current diagnosed disabilities related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee arthritis, instability, and left knee arthritis have been rated as 10 percent disabling since May 2006. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability did not have onset in service and was not caused or permanently aggravated by his active military service.

Service connection was granted for a bilateral knee disorder, but service connection remains denied for cervical spine disorder and hearing loss.,A higher rating is sought for the low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right ankle disability, left ankle degenerative changes with talonavicular joint involvement, and bilateral knee disability as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for left knee and right shoulder disabilities prior to May 1, 2009 have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip and left knee disorders are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following his active duty. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that there is no probative evidence of record linking the Veteran's claimed conditions to his military service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. The left flank scar is rated at 10 percent due to painful symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected tricompartmental osteoarthritis, status post total right knee arthroplasty, was found to be manifested by pain and stiffness prior to June 13, 2012. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to that date was denied.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been manifested by x-ray evidence of arthritis, with flexion limited to at worst 115 degrees in the right knee and 112 degrees in the left knee. The Veteran has no more than mild instability in the right knee.,The criteria for a higher disability rating under DC 5260-5010 have not been met for either knee.