Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for gouty arthritis of the back, toes, fingers, knees, shoulders, and ankles was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for instability of the right knee and traumatic arthritis have been denied as there is no evidence showing moderate or severe lateral instability, flexion limited to 45 degrees, or extension limited to 20 degrees during the relevant periods.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain missing service treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a VA examination for his cervical spine and left knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded to allow for these actions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU rating was denied as there is no evidence that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to January 13, 2005.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and initial evaluations of various knee and eye disabilities to the RO for further development. The Veteran's right eye pterygium is currently rated as noncompensable, while his left shoulder impingement syndrome and patellofemoral syndromes in both knees are each rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his medical evidence, including a VA examiner's opinion on whether his service-connected right knee disability has aggravated his low back, left knee, and left hip disorders.

The Board has granted a 20% evaluation for post-operative lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease from August 5, 2008 through November 23, 2010. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to increased evaluations for her left proximal tibial avulsion residuals is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and left ankle disabilities did not have their onset in service, were not otherwise etiologically related to her service, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to warrant a higher rating, and service connection for various conditions including low back disorder, knee disorders, foot disorders, shoulder disorders, diabetes mellitus, insomnia, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and fatigue were denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that his extension and flexion did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's early patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities and consideration of whether an extraschedular TDIU rating should be considered.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's left knee disorder existed prior to service and if it was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for the Veteran's claimed low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The preponderance of the medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for DJD of the right knee, to include Baker's cyst. The issue of service connection for varicosities of the lower right leg is being remanded.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current right knee condition is not related to his service-connected low back disability and therefore denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has granted separate 10% disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected postoperative osteochondritis dissecans of the left knee and right knee, with scars associated to these conditions. The criteria are met for a separate, 10 percent disability rating for each scar as residuals of the service-connected postoperative osteochondritis dissecans.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, specifically instability, warrants a 10% rating effective from March 19, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and verification of periods of active duty for training. The appellant's claims may be granted based on the evidence obtained.