Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is related to service, and thus grants service connection for a low back disability. The right knee and left knee conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the propriety of reducing disability ratings for left knee conditions. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined and must be addressed concurrently.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability and whether his fall was due to his service-connected ankle and/or knee conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DJD of the left knee is related to service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The issue of secondary service connection for hypertension due to diabetes mellitus remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee disability, and esophagus condition. The denial of these claims is based on the lack of new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence was not in equipoise and did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by arthritis and meniscus degenerative disease, is currently rated at 10 percent under the Rating Schedule. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on instability or limitation of motion.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and limitation of flexion prior to October 20, 2010, was not found to warrant a higher rating. However, her total right knee replacement from December 1, 2011 onwards has been granted with a 30% rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain treatment records from Dr. RAS and provide an opinion on the causal relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim should be granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability, bilateral knee disorder, and hand tremor are related to his active service. The claims were granted.

The Veteran's right knee ligament reconstruction and meniscectomy are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds no basis for a higher rating. The left knee disability is not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral disease and right foot hammertoes are etiologically related to his active military service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and shin splints, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to her period of active duty for training.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including review of new medical evidence and an updated VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disorder. The issue of service connection for a right knee disorder remains pending and will be readjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for postoperative left knee retropatellar pain syndrome, and the combined evaluation of limitation of motion and status post meniscectomy was appropriate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral shoulder bursitis and arthritis of the right knee likely had their onset during his active duty service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of chronic disability during or immediately following service. The polio claim was also denied due to lack of evidence of a pre-service diagnosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disorder was not aggravated during his active service beyond its natural progression.