Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of recent medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. Service connection claims for right knee disability and hypertension are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthrosis and osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder, effective August 21, 2012.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the claim for secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was denied.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, hypertension, heart disability (cardiac murmur), right great toe disability, low back disability, residuals of cold injury to hands, and bilateral knee disability. The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions at the time of the decision.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current diagnoses of headaches, foot disability, or left knee disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is presumed to have been incurred during his military service, but his right shoulder arthritis cannot be linked to his service. The decision on the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and right knee degenerative joint disease do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of the record, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new VA examination, and ensuring compliance with all directives.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right or left ankle disability, or a right knee disability, that is related to his active service. The evidence of record does not support a finding that any current disabilities are etiologically linked to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left knee partial ACL tear did not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable evaluation at any time relevant to the claim/appeal period.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his in-service injury, and grants service connection for a right knee disability. The right shoulder disability was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled travel Board hearing. His claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability will be processed again after he has had the opportunity for another hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her right knee disorder claims, including obtaining medical records and possibly scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's effective date for a 30% disability rating for residuals of a total left knee replacement is set at July 1, 2010. The Board found that the increase in his disability did not occur prior to this date and thus denied an earlier effective date.

The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric disability and left knee disability are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and adjudication due to deficiencies in a previous VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder is currently before the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and chronic low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or post-service continuity of symptoms.