Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and bilateral hip disabilities are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee and ankle disabilities, including arthritis, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiner found no evidence of such conditions during service and concluded they are less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have hearing loss of the left ear, and his claims for other conditions are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn as to the claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorder and bilateral ankle disorder. The Board found that there is at least as likely as not that the Veteran has sleep apnea, which had its onset during his last period of service.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the rating for the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability from 60% to 30% as of June 1, 2008 was proper based on evidence showing improvement. The prior higher rating will be reinstated retroactively.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his left knee, status-post arthroscopic surgery for a medial meniscal tear with a scar is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, PTSD, and a right knee disorder have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, right knee disability, and left eye disability were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preexisting conditions were presumed to have existed prior to his periods of active duty but were not shown to be aggravated during those periods.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's receipt of Social Security Administration disability benefits and a need for additional medical records. The issues on appeal include service connection for various joint disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and increased ratings for COPD are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development of his service connection claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and bilateral varicose veins, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right knee, left shoulder, low back, and urinary disabilities. Service connection is granted for right knee degenerative joint disease. The claims of service connection for residuals of an appendectomy, a disability manifested by headaches and dizziness, and a skin disability manifested by jock itch are not reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his right knee, ankle, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling due to pain and instability. A separate 10 percent rating has been granted for limited extension since May 13, 2014.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for right knee, neck, and gastrointestinal disorders but has not granted service connection for any of these conditions.,New evidence submitted since previous decisions raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for right knee, neck, and gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's musculoligamentous strain of the right knee has been manifested by flexion ranging from 90 to 120 degrees, with pain beginning at 110 degrees; extension that was normal; no decrease in range of motion on repetitive testing; and complaints of pain. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran is eligible for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) due to his service-connected right and left knee tendonitis, which was aggravated by service. However, he is not eligible for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that there is a 50 percent or better probability that it began during service and is otherwise etiologically related to service.