Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder was not manifested within one year of service separation and there is no competent evidence in the file showing that the current right knee disorder is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the knees and sickle cell anemia with vitreous hemorrhage in the left eye, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, as well as secondary claims for right and left hip disabilities. The Veteran's left tripartite or bipartite patella was found to be congenital and not related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss disability. The current evaluation of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss is maintained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, arranging for a new examination by the November 2011 examiner to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding an in-service injury, and ensuring that all evidence is considered.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated as non-compensable (0 percent) since their initial grant in March 1994. The January 2007 rating decision denied increased ratings for both knees, with the RO considering the provisions of DCs 5257, 5260, and 5261.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities are found less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to locate the Veteran's service treatment records and obtain any relevant VA clinical records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee and shoulder disabilities are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of any nexus between these conditions and the 1992 fall he reported.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders are not related to his service-connected hammertoes or military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and a right knee disorder, finding no evidence of continuity of symptoms or medical treatment related to these conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease was denied as the evidence did not show flexion limited to at least 45 degrees or extension limited to at least 10 degrees, and there was no objective confirmation of painful motion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and correctly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for brain aneurism and bilateral knee condition, as well as his request for a higher rating for GERD, are being remanded due to the need for a hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is congenital in origin and not related to active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorders are not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left knee replacement and ankylosis of the left ankle, have been found to meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle or adaptive equipment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypoglycemia, hypertension, cataracts, gallbladder removal, pes planus, left elbow and knee disabilities, left ankle and thigh disabilities, right knee and hip disabilities, lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, abnormal blood count, elevated cholesterol/triglycerides, ear pain, and rash on the back. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service or due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguities in the VA examination, missing military records, and the fact that the examiner did not seem to consider or reference actual injuries documented in the Veteran's military records. A new VA examination is indicated.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, and increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have all been denied. The TDIU claim has also been raised.