Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder did not originate in service or until years thereafter, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) medical records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's death cause and accrued benefits claims, including obtaining VA treatment records from January 2008 until his death in February 2008, and providing a VA medical opinion regarding whether the service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and neurologic disabilities, including hip disability, low back disability, peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy of the lower extremities, neck disability, bilateral knee disability, cervical radiculopathy, right thumb sprain residuals, left ankle sprain residuals, and dermatitis have been denied. The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability is not considered to be a proximate cause of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will provide a new opportunity for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and loss of motion associated with the fracture of the patella, is currently rated at 10 percent since October 1, 2012. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5257 or 5258.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an effective date earlier than February 16, 2009 for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus and his claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a bilateral knee condition. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle, left ankle, and right knee disorders are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and analysis of her service-connected disabilities, including the nature and etiology of her knee, ankle, foot, and lumbar spine disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing Osgood-Schlatter disease did not aggravate during service, and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for his current left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including strain with Baker's cyst and very early osteoarthritis, is at least as likely due to his in-service injury during active duty. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for GERD and epididymalgia, testalgia, and prostatitis have been granted. The right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent since January 13, 2006, with a higher rating sought. The right knee disability is also rated at 10 percent since January 13, 2006, with a higher rating sought.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric conditions, knee and shoulder injuries, and a stomach disability. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and post-TKR residuals, is rated at a noncompensable level from November 17, 2003 to February 10, 2004. From February 11, 2004 onwards, the rating is set at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease and anterior cruciate ligament tear were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal involves increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and left thigh GSW residuals, as well as a claim for TDIU. The Board finds that further development is necessary to ensure all relevant evidence has been considered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disorder and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for modest arthritis, medial compartment, left knee.

The Board has determined that the claims need further clarification regarding the Veteran's service dates and type of service. The claims are being remanded to obtain this information.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence or credible assertion linking the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees to his military service. The claim for service connection for DJD of the knees is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected osteoarthritis of the left knee, right hip, and right ankle disability do not warrant ratings in excess of the initial noncompensable ratings assigned.