Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee condition, characterized by recurrent subluxation and lateral instability, is currently rated at 30 percent. A separate 10 percent rating for arthritis of the left knee is granted. The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for skin moles, a right knee disability, a left knee disability, hypertension, and a disability resulting from asbestos exposure has been withdrawn.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his low back disability, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claimed left shoulder, left knee, and bilateral wrist disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board denied these claims as the evidence did not support a direct link to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and VA treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left hip disability, right knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are being considered.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for left hip arthritis, right thigh scar (as a residual of a right knee gunshot wound), and right knee gunshot wound residuals were denied. The Veteran was not granted any additional disability evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for a rating greater than 30 percent for his service-connected right knee disability was not granted. The decision is based on the merits of the case and does not involve any presumption, secondary connection, aggravation, new and material evidence, or exposure to specific hazards.

The Veteran's service-connected post-operative left patella-femoral pain syndrome and left knee instability have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, with no additional compensable conditions found. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his eye disorder and right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issues of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hand pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left knee disability, lumbago (back disability), generalized anxiety disorder, pes planus of the right foot, and fatigue. The claims will be reviewed based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, or erectile dysfunction due to diabetes mellitus.

The Board has determined that the criteria for reconsidering a prior denial of service connection for right shoulder and right knee disabilities have been met, granting the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran seeks a higher evaluation for his service-connected left knee disability. The RO denied an increased rating in September 2009 and assigned a 10 percent rating effective from September 29, 2009. The Veteran appealed this decision and the case is now remanded due to additional evidence being added to the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case for due process reasons, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Veteran's local RO.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The issues include secondary service connection for a right knee disorder, residuals of pleurodesis for pneumothorax, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux esophagitis, esophageal ulcers, gastritis, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss was not found to be related to service, but the claim remains pending as it may still be connected through other theories of entitlement.,Right knee DJD and low back disability are both found to be secondary to left knee DJD with effusion, pseudo laxity, and scar. The Veteran's tinnitus is also found to have started during service.,The Veteran's low back disability remains pending as it may still be connected through other theories of entitlement.

The case is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination for the low back disability and the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 1151 and secondary service connection were denied as there was no evidence of VA negligence or fault in the care provided, and his conditions are not considered to be proximately due to or the result of a condition that has been previously established.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evaluation of his condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 30 percent prior to May 25, 2010 and increased to 40 percent from May 26, 2010 through June 7, 2012. After his total knee replacement on June 8, 2012, he was initially rated at 30 percent until July 31, 2013, and then returned to a 40 percent rating.