Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 20 percent, and his left knee scar was assigned a noncompensable evaluation. The Veteran requested to withdraw the appeal regarding the left knee scar.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability was aggravated during service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability is being remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, vertigo, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. His claim for an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for scheduling a hearing at the St. Petersburg, Florida RO.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of all evidence. The issues include cervical spine disability, fibromyalgia, left knee arthralgias, cervical neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and thoracic outlet syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA outpatient records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and an initial compensable evaluation for right hand neuropathy are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his back disability, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection must be remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee osteoarthritis is not related to an injury sustained during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and denied his claim of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a stress fracture of the left knee or tibia, heart disability, and hearing loss was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for calluses of the right and left feet, finding that they are likely due to conditions present during active duty. Service connection was also granted for a right knee disorder, but further examination is needed as there may be evidence of arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disability. The issue remains whether he should receive a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of bilateral knee disability and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease, hip disability, and bilateral knee disability. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure to Agent Orange or other environmental factors.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the right knee receiving a noncompensable rating prior to May 6, 2009, and separate 10 percent ratings from October 4, 2010. The left knee received separate 10 percent ratings from December 19, 2012, to January 30, 2014, and not more than three separate ratings of 10 percent from January 30, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain relevant medical records from Dr. Lang, and the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability is being returned to the RO/AMC for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an increased rating for his left knee arthritis. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's somatization disorder with PTSD is rated at 100 percent, rendering moot his appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). His claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance was withdrawn.

The Board found that a left knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and could not be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure. The disorder is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.