Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not service connected as secondary to his right knee and low back disabilities. The initial rating for the Veteran's right knee disability remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for such eligibility.

The Board found no evidence of a low back injury or disease in service, and did not experience chronic symptoms during service. The Veteran's current low back disorder is not presumed to have been incurred due to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request, and will consider all issues related to service connection and increased ratings.

The Veteran's bradycardia has been rated based on the workload of 13 METs prior to May 6, 2009 and 8 METs from that date. The right knee condition is currently rated as 10 percent disabling before May 2011 and 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's chondromalacia patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee) has been rated at 10 percent since the initial rating decision in March 2002. The lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease is currently rated as 10 percent before May 2011 and 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's hypertension was previously managed with medication, and diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. The hiatal hernia with esophageal reflux is currently rated as 10 percent before May 2011 and 30 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's anal fissure has not been shown to be present, thus no rating can be assigned for this condition.,New evidence submitted includes medical records that suggest the headaches may have a neurological cause rather than being secondary to gastroenteritis. The left knee disability is related to service due to its onset during active duty.,The Veteran's sleep apnea and depression or other psychiatric disorder are both considered secondary to hypertension and pain from service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee instability was denied, and the service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and chondromalacia, was evaluated by the Board but a higher rating could not be granted due to lack of evidence showing more than slight instability or limitation of motion.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to his service, and thus denied service connection for it. The increased rating claim for bilateral pes planus was also denied.

The Veteran's right below the knee amputation and fracture right femur residuals are rated at 60 percent, reflecting a condition not improvable by prosthesis controlled by natural knee action. The rating for the fracture is unchanged.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VCAA notice specific to his claims.

The Veteran's appeal involves his bilateral knee disabilities, including those following total knee replacements. The issues are related to the severity of these conditions and their impact on his ability to work. However, due to insufficient detail in the examination report, the case is being remanded for further clarification.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his knee disorders were granted, with the left knee receiving a 10% rating from August 10, 2006 to April 6, 2008 and June 1, 2008 onwards. The right knee received a 10% rating from August 10, 2006 to December 12, 2010 and a separate 10% rating for instability starting from December 13, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for high cholesterol and right elbow disability was denied. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his right medial epicondylitis was also denied.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, and therefore denies both claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal, lower back, left knee, and right knee disorders have been granted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left ear hearing loss, and bilateral knee disorder. The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is based on a fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the earliest opportunity. The case will be returned to the Board after this action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current status of his service-connected disabilities and consideration of whether separate ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's left knee DJD status post arthroscopy is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current disability level.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed disabilities, including vertigo, left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability.