Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and adjudicating the claims of service connection for low back pain and bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities for the periods from September 8, 2003 through May 31, 2006, and from March 1, 2009 through July 31, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in a written communication received by the Board in July 2012.

The Veteran's right and left knee strains were not found to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to June 29, 2011.,Effective from June 29, 2011, the Veteran was granted evaluations of 10 percent each for his right and left knee strains.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code. The Veteran's symptoms, while reported, do not warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, lipomas, right hip disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and right hand/wrist disorder. These claims are now considered on their merits.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of all remaining issues on appeal.

The Veteran's chronic pain disorder is not shown to be attributable to any condition related to service that is separate and distinct from conditions already service-connected or for which a separate claim has been denied. The Board finds no current evidence of a distinct underlying disability (other than pain alone) for which service connection may be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including notification of the evidence needed to establish secondary service connection and a VA examination to determine the etiology of any left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports from March 1998.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder, hip and knee disabilities are etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's left knee ACL deficiency and associated medial meniscus tear have been found to be manifested by a rupture and tear, respectively. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation has been denied.

The Veteran's right hip and knee disabilities have been granted initial ratings, with the exception of a separate compensable rating for his meniscus tear in the right knee. The Veteran experiences significant pain and functional impairment that limits his ability to perform daily activities and work.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia and medial collateral ligament strain have not been manifested by instability or limitation of motion, warranting a 10 percent rating since May 21, 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, which includes Osgood-Schlatters disease and other old injuries to the knee, is related to his service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and service connection were denied. The RO assigned a total rating effective from April 9, 2009, for each knee due to TKA (total knee arthroplasty).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a low back condition and a right knee condition, both secondary to the service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling based on residuals of patellar dislocation and DJD with limitation of motion.

The claim for service connection for a right knee disability is granted as the evidence shows that the Veteran currently has arthritis of the right knee, which is considered a direct service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The skin rash of the groin and crotch area, rosacea on the face, knee disorders, dizziness, headaches, night sweats, and hearing loss are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The VA examiner found that the right knee scar did not meet criteria for a separate rating prior to March 24, 2012, and from March 24, 2012 onwards, it does not warrant a higher than 10 percent rating.