Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule him for VA examinations, and determine the appropriate disability ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and right knee disorders are not related to service or an incident of service origin.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied as there was no evidence of a link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions, finding no current disability or evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability (status post arthroscopic surgery), and left shoulder disability based on in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's tinnitus had onset during service and the Board finds that it was incurred in active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for recurrent subluxation of the left knee and osteoarthritis of the left knee were denied as there is no evidence of severe instability or limitation of motion warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 14, 2009.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, with the left knee also having limitation of extension. The Board has determined that these ratings are appropriate.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee injury is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective August 22, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher initial evaluation for this condition.,For his left eye disability, prior to November 7, 2013, he was granted a noncompensable rating; after that date, he is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis and right knee disability were evaluated at the 10 percent level, which was denied as not meeting criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU due to service-connected depressive disorder with sleep onset insomnia prior to August 20, 2009 and SMC at the housebound rate effective prior to that date.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis and torn medial meniscus with recurrent effusions are currently rated at the maximum allowable under current VA regulations. The slight lateral instability is separately evaluated.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a left knee disability and assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective April 27, 2009.,An earlier effective date of April 25, 2002 for the award of a 10 percent disability evaluation for the service-connected left knee disability manifested by atrophy of the left muscle groups XIV and XII is granted.,A separate initial 10 percent disability rating for the left knee disability manifested by lateral instability since April 27, 2009 is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance was denied because the evidence did not show that his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities caused wear and tear on his clothing.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as postoperative residuals of a traumatic right knee injury with excision of bone chips and fluid, is currently rated at 10 percent. The VA examination revealed arthritis, intermittent pain, full extension, and flexion limited to no worse than 135 degrees, even considering excess fatigability and pain. The Board finds that the criteria are not met for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee arthroplasty, has not resulted in ankylosis or nonunion of the tibia and fibula. The pain and limitation of motion have been found to be within normal limits for a 30 percent rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral knee disability that is related to service, and therefore, denies his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding no evidence of a chronic condition related to military service more than 20 years ago. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's current right knee pain was less likely caused by his in-service injury.