Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is service-connected and has granted a 10 percent disability rating for his hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's GERD existed prior to his period of active duty and was not aggravated by service. The issue of an increased disability rating for right knee arthritis is pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to service and denied his claim. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss was remanded but remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee scar is rated at 10 percent, effective May 21, 2008. The claim for a higher initial evaluation remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each under Diagnostic Code 5003 for degenerative arthritis. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no limitation of motion to 45 degrees or extension to 10 degrees, which would allow two individual 10% ratings.,The Veteran's thrombophlebitis of the right lower extremity is rated at 40 percent under Diagnostic Code 7121. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no persistent ulceration or massive board-like edema with constant pain at rest.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred or aggravated as a result of active service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by any service-connected disability. The claim for an increased rating for bronchitis was denied as there were no findings showing the Veteran had respiratory failure, cor pulmonale, right ventricular hypertrophy, or outpatient oxygen therapy required.

The Board found that the Veteran's current knee conditions are not attributable to his military service, including any in-service injury incurred as a result of a fall from a tank. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a left knee and left ankle condition due to an in-service surgery, as further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a grant of any of the requested evaluations.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities were found to not warrant a higher disability rating prior to August 26, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide the Veteran with a VA examination for his service-connected knee and low back disabilities, as well as an opinion regarding his fecal incontinence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder injury, left knee ligament tear, and right knee osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current low back, left knee, or bilateral foot disorder and denied service connection for all three conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities, as new and material evidence has been received.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee and low back disabilities as well as their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's service connection for a right hip disability is granted, as it is related to his in-service injury and/or caused by his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis status post meniscectomy.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD, which is likely related to her military service. She also received a 100% disability rating for left knee arthritis due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition.,Service connection for TDIU remains pending as the issue is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been evaluated at the 10 percent rating for patellofemoral syndrome, but do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on current symptoms.

The Board dismissed the motion due to the death of the moving party.