Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, dysthymic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder), finding that there was no in-service injury or event related to these conditions, nor continuous symptoms since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis and for increased ratings for her right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee arthritis was not caused or aggravated by her service-connected patellofemoral dysfunction with strain and/or lumbar DDD, and that her service-connected radiculopathy did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease and left elbow disorder had their onset in service, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cognitive disorder is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including his heart condition and circulatory surgical procedures. The right knee disability, left knee disability, and dizziness and loss of balance are not related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and left knee disability, finding no evidence of current disabilities or in-service events, injuries, or diseases. Service connection was granted for a left lower extremity neurological disability (left thigh paresthesia).,There is currently no evidence of a current left knee disability.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that the functional impairment did not approximate the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder. The Veteran's current left knee disability is considered cumulative and redundant of previous evidence.

The Board found that the current schedular rating adequately encompasses all symptoms and associated functional impairment from the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, and thus no referral for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left knee is characterized by x-ray evidence of arthritis and productive of painful motion, but not ankylosis or limitation of flexion beyond 45 degrees. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee based on limitation of flexion has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and right knee disability are not service-connected as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of right and left ankle fractures. The issue of service connection for a right knee disorder remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year post-service for arthritis conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his right and left knee tricompartmental arthritis have been withdrawn. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left ankle disability, and a sinus condition. The right knee and left ankle disabilities are found to be related to active service, while the sinus condition is resolved from surgery performed in 2007.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain VA treatment records and the Veteran's private medical records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right knee arthroscopy are currently rated at 20 percent, and his degenerative joint disease of the right knee is rated at 10 percent. The current evaluations reflect moderate instability and painful motion.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied as they are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and whether they render him unemployable. Additional treatment records are also needed.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee condition is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.