Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for asthma, shortness of breath and chest pain; right knee disorder; and left knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her right and left knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that her conditions warranted a higher evaluation based on current symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining new VA examinations and any relevant private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the relationship between his current left knee disability and service, as well as any aggravation by a pre-existing right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA has been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim. Service connection is granted.,Service connection is also granted for a bilateral knee disability, low back disability, and bilateral ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arteriosclerotic heart disease, right knee disability, tailbone disability, lumbar spine disability, and diabetes mellitus, type II, have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for reopening a previously denied claim or establishing service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including whether they are related to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of reopening his service connection for a right knee disability and has determined that, based on the evidence in equipoise as to causation, he is entitled to service connection for this condition. The left knee disability issue remains pending.

The Veteran's low back disorder is currently manifested by limitation of motion and moderately severe neurological abnormalities, but no ankylosis or bladder/bowel impairment. The Veteran was granted a separate 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.,Effective May 29, 2007, the criteria for a disability rating of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with the low back disorder have been met.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and granted it. The Veteran's new evidence, including his statements about in-service injuries and ongoing symptoms, raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. His claim for hydrocephalus is also addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, a back disorder, and a bilateral knee disorder have been denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he and his attorney have withdrawn the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left leg injury with below the knee amputation was incurred in the line of duty and not due to his own willful misconduct, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's chronic lumbar spine strain is found to have begun in service and was incurred therein, granting service connection for a chronic lumbar spine strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and additional development, including obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records and determining if there is a link between the Veteran's current right knee disability and his period of active service.

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of May 2009 for the grant of a 10 percent disability rating for his service-connected left knee musculoligamentous strain.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for left knee instability has been granted, with a current rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of Chapter 30 educational assistance benefits is granted, allowing him up to a total of 29 months of eligibility.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further examination.