Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the January 1999 RO rating decision denying service connection for a right knee disability was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The effective date of August 25, 2005, for the grant of service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral knee disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder and GERD. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder, including chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease, has been manifested by x-ray evidence of DJD, limitation of extension no worse than 5 degrees, limitation of flexion no worse than 90 degrees, patellar crepitus, swelling, tenderness, and complaints of pain on use. The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent since February 5, 2007.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder should be remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability in his left ear, and there is no evidence linking his right ear hearing loss to service. The Veteran's knee disorders are also not related to his service. As such, the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, and right great toe condition are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle, lumbosacral spine, bilateral hip and bilateral knee disabilities have effectively rendered him unable to use his lower extremities without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair. As such, he is entitled to specially adapted housing.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is attributable to a known clinical diagnosis and not related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case to address service connection for bilateral hip, ankle, and left knee disorders due to inadequate rationale provided by a VA examiner regarding aggravation of these conditions. The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection for hypertensive retinopathy is also addressed.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's left knee disability to his active service or an undiagnosed illness, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new examination to address functional limitations due to flare-ups and an addendum opinion regarding his employability. The TDIU claim must be remanded for readjudication.

The VA medical opinion determined that the service-connected right leg disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to the Veteran's cause of death, which was due to complications from multiple strokes.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's oligodendroglioma and dismissed his claims for right knee disability. The remaining issues of left knee disorder and bilateral pes planus are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the obtaining of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been productive of at least moderate, recurrent lateral instability. The Board grants a separate 20 percent rating for lateral instability of the left knee for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip condition was denied as she does not have a current disability of the right hip other than sacroiliitis, which is already service-connected. The claims for increased evaluations for her service-connected disabilities were remanded due to the passage of time and new evidence indicating possible changes in severity.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is established as service-connected due to his bilateral hearing loss. The claims for initial compensable evaluation of bilateral hearing loss, service connection for left knee disability, and right knee disability are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's January 2010 application for service connection for hay fever, rhinitis, and sinusitis constitutes an original claim. The Veteran seeks service connection for breathing problems including hay fever, rhinitis, and sinusitis. The medical evidence reflects several diagnoses, including upper respiratory infection (URI), and rhinitis during his period of service. However, arthritis, right leg to include right knee was not manifested during the Veteran's active service or for many years after service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disorder and spontaneous pneumothorax residuals are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration of the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hip, and back disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.