Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic low back disorder or bilateral knee disability that was incurred in service. The VA examiner found no link between current degenerative joint disease and service, including the single episode of back pain during service.,Regarding hearing loss, the Veteran's post-service medical records show sensorineural hearing loss, which is presumed to have been incurred due to noise exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disability and decreased sensation in the right lower extremity, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher schedular ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's arthritis of both knees and osteoarthritis of the left little finger have been granted service connection. His hearing loss has been increased to a 20% rating effective from September 6, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, and increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent for limitation of flexion, and a separate rating of 10 percent was assigned for limitation of extension since September 24, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and addressing whether the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his service-connected right knee disability or if it was aggravated by that condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's right knee disability due to potential flare-ups, additional limitation of motion on repetitive use, and instability. The Veteran will be provided with a new examination report.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were granted, with a 30 percent rating assigned for the post-operative incisional scar and muscle injury of the right thigh with retained foreign bodies, as well as a 30 percent rating for scars and a muscle injury of the left thigh and tibia, below the knee, residual muscle hernia and popliteal space.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective July 30, 2003. The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected chondromalacia patella of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher rating is warranted based on current evidence.

The Veteran's claims for extensions of temporary total ratings due to convalescence following his April 2008 left knee arthroscopy and February 2009 chondral allograft transplantation were denied as there was no evidence of severe postoperative residuals requiring further convalescence.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and decreased memory due to TBI was granted with an effective date of June 26, 1992. The right knee scars are rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 30 percent. The rating reflects the severity of his symptoms including pain and instability.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including hematuria, left wrist fracture residuals, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, hip and knee disorders, as well as a right great toe bunion. The issues are related to the evaluation of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and readjudication of his increased rating claim and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, right knee disorder, and headaches was denied as he does not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records. The issue of an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by subluxation or instability and painful motion, warrants a separate initial rating of 10 percent for the condition. The primary issue is whether she should also receive an additional 10 percent rating for her subluxation or instability.