Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to various disabilities, including knee conditions, hip conditions, eye conditions, neurological symptoms, insomnia, and skin conditions. The Board has remanded the case for further action due to a change in the Veteran's residence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, and his claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and left thigh disorders have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a left leg disability and an increased rating for major depression. The Veteran's right hip and ankle disabilities are not service-connected, but he is granted TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining treatment records. The issues on appeal are entitlement to increased ratings for left knee and left ankle disabilities and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability originated during service and is granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since June 19, 2005. The rating is based on limitation of motion and instability of the joint.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not sustain material improvement under ordinary conditions of life, and thus denied the reduction from a 30 percent to a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left ankle fracture and right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for the residuals of a right knee arthroscopy with partial medial and lateral meniscectomy, finding that his current disability is due to an injury incurred during active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records and examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee and left hamstring disabilities, warranting service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral knee and right shoulder disabilities, which she contends began in service. The case has been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and sleep apnea, as well as his increased ratings for CAD and diabetes. The decision also noted that VA treatment records from May 2010 to August 2010 were not obtained due to the Veteran's private hospitalization.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease resulting in current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities of the right foot, lumbar spine, and right knee affect a single body system (orthopedics) and combine to a 60 percent rating. The weight of the competent and probative evidence indicates that the Veteran as likely as not is prevented from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not warranted as a matter of law due to the application of the 'amputation rule.' The claims must be denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the etiology of his right knee and leg condition, as well as supplemental opinions regarding his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and right shoulder conditions are not related to his active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection. The TDIU claim is also denied.