Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability, and for obtaining any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's below the knee amputation of the left leg was caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault by VA. The Board finds that the criteria for entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are met.

The Veteran's left knee condition is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology and severity, as the current evidence does not definitively establish whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed before a decision can be made on the service connection claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbar strain. The Veteran also requested service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), residuals of a bilateral mandible fracture, chondromalacia patella of the left knee, and chondromalacia patella of the right knee. These issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain clarification and additional medical examinations for his hearing loss and right knee conditions.

The Board has granted effective dates of January 16, 2007 for the grants of service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and right iliotibial band syndrome with limitation of hip motion and left iliotibial band syndrome with degenerative joint disease and limitation of hip motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and service, as well as additional VA treatment records.

The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's statements about the continuity of her knee pain since service are credible, and that the disability was incurred in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or recurrent symptoms with respect to these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder is not related to her active service and denies her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder strain, lumbar spine disc bulge with stenosis and facet arthritis, and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome with MCL thickening, Pellegrini-Stieda lesion, and chronic changes are all related to service.

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

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions and denied service connection for all issues due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back pain with arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected right knee chondromalacia of the patella, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability and finds that it is less likely than not related to his period of active service. For the left knee issue, there is no evidence showing arthritis manifested within one year after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of his separation from active duty and is not shown to be related to his service. The examiner opined that the current left hip disorder is less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee and left ankle disabilities.,The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of his separation from active duty and is not shown to be related to his service. The examiner opined that the current left hip disorder is less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right knee disability, evaluated at a combined 40 percent rating, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating from August 13, 2010.