Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining clarification on whether the Veteran's claimed carpal tunnel syndrome is separate from his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The left knee disability claim is also being considered on a secondary basis to his right leg disability. The back disability claim is inextricably intertwined with the left knee disability and must be deferred at this time.

The Board found no evidence of frostbite or other cold injuries in service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his current conditions are not shown to be related to his active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent and increased to 50 percent effective February 20, 2009.,Since November 5, 2007, the Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot, left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities as well as bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for secondary service connection based on a service-connected lumbar spine disability was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record to ensure due process and to determine if a higher evaluation can be assigned for his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee, ankle, and hip disabilities are not related to her service-connected low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for post-operative medial instability of the left knee and degenerative arthritis of the left knee were denied as his conditions did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent or 10 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's service-connected internal derangement of the left knee has been evaluated as 10 percent disabling, but his range of motion does not warrant a higher evaluation. The Veteran's chronic lumbar strain is also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted. The disability ratings for his cervical spine, lumbar spine, right and left knee disabilities, and bilateral hand arthritis have been adjusted based on the findings from recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner regarding the relationship between his right knee disability and service-connected migraine headaches, as well as the nature and etiology of his currently diagnosed bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome were remanded by the Board, but no effective date earlier than March 31, 2004 is granted.,An effective date of March 31, 2004 was assigned for the 10% rating for both knees.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis with instability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the rating decision.

The Board found that there is no current disability of a bilateral knee disorder or hypertension, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and osteoarthritis of the right knee were dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence. The issues include an increased rating for PTSD, service connection for bilateral knee disorder, and service connection for a left foot disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current left shoulder and right knee disorders are related to his military service. The claims for service connection will be remanded for further examination and consideration.

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

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, which is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's left foot disability is also secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left eye retinal hole and pterygium was denied due to failure to report for necessary VA examinations.,New evidence received since the January 2005 denial has reopened the claims of service connection for a right knee disability and thoracolumbar spine disability, raising reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.