Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disorders was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for arthritis of the right knee or for a rating in excess of 10 percent for instability of the right knee.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that a right knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and is not related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee and left hip disabilities due to the lack of current disability. The Veteran's claims for compensable initial ratings for elbow tendonitis are pending.

The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining a VA nexus opinion and addressing lay statements from the Veteran and his fellow servicemen regarding right knee problems in service. The Veteran's current right knee disability will be evaluated based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent prior to April 27, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of his claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and lumbosacral spine disorder. The evidence does not show a current disability in these areas.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability has been rated at 20 percent since August 23, 2006. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to his range of motion limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability was not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to February 18, 2009. The claim for a 10 percent rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 (based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities) prior to December 2, 2008 was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of both knees and ankles is not service connected, as there is no evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated during his active duty service. The claim for secondary service connection due to diabetes mellitus is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to clarify his periods of active duty. The Board will address these issues in a subsequent decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of coronary artery disease, finding that the December 1968 rating decision denying service connection was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment. The rating decisions have addressed different time periods for different aspects of his claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lower extremity and neurological conditions, effectively result in the loss of use of his left lower extremity together with residuals of organic disease which so affect the functions of balance or propulsion that he is precluded from locomotion without the aid of a cane. His claim for specially adapted housing assistance is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the Board for further appellate consideration after the hearing.