Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee condition is not related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.,Regarding the left hip condition, as there was no in-service injury or disease noted, and no competent medical evidence linking a current disability to service, the claim was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a Travel Board hearing. The issues on appeal include service connection for various knee disorders, PTSD, traumatic brain injury with headaches, and gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing VA treatment records and instructed the RO to obtain these records for a full evaluation of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since September 16, 2011. The current rating is for noncompensable limitation of motion (flexion and extension) with painful motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability claimed as gout and initial compensable ratings for deviated septum with surgery and allergic rhinitis were denied. The Board finds that additional development is needed to address the remaining claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a failure to timely file a substantive appeal within the required time frame.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a VA addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, specifically addressing whether his pre-existing bilateral pes planus worsened in service and if his current knee and back disorders are related to his foot disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hip, low back, left knee, and left ankle disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty or are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disorder, including seborrheic dermatitis, acne and tinea versicolor. The Veteran's sinusitis is found to be chronic and related to service.

The Veteran's right knee patellorfemoral joint syndrome was initially rated as noncompensable prior to February 24, 2012. After further development and examination, a compensable rating of 10 percent was assigned effective from February 24, 2012.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claim, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee internal derangement is currently rated at 10 percent, and hypertension is rated at 10 percent. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been evaluated at a noncompensable (zero percent) rating since September 2002. The most recent VA examination in March 2013 showed limited range of motion, but no additional limitations due to pain or weakness. As the current evaluation is already at the minimum compensable level, any higher evaluation based on limitation of motion under Diagnostic Codes 5260 and 5261 is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating on an extra-schedular basis for right total knee replacement, evaluated as 60 percent disabling from March 1, 2007, was denied by the Board.

The Veteran's left knee DJD status post removal of semilunar cartilage has been rated at 20 percent since June 2, 2003. The Board is remanding the case to address whether a separate rating for limitation of flexion should be granted and if the original 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of the left knee semilunar cartilage under DC 5259 is protected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left hip, bilateral pes planus, and left knee disabilities. The examiner is to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service or aggravated by his service-connected ilio inguinal nerve entrapment syndrome.

The Board found no evidence of arthritis or knee/leg disabilities in service, and the medical opinions were not supportive of a nexus to service. The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his failure to appear for a Travel Board hearing scheduled in May 2013. He requested rescheduling of the hearing.