Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for his left knee disability, as it was not manifested by ankylosis or impairment of the elbow resulting in limitation of pronation or bone fusion. For his major depressive disorder, he did not meet the criteria for total social impairment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not caused by noise exposure during service, and grants service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a right knee and leg disorder to include osteoporosis remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle and left knee disorders are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is no longer valid as he has passed away.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disabilities, including ACL reconstruction and arthritis. The rating assigned will be determined based on the findings from this examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection claim for a left knee disability will be reconsidered.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral knee disorder that he claims is secondary to his service-connected back disorder, and also seeks TDIU. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities require additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, diabetes (claimed as borderline diabetes), neuropathy of the hands and upper extremities, neuropathy of the feet and lower extremities, and glaucoma were denied. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were not timely filed, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board found no evidence linking the current left hip and left knee disorders to service, including any inservice injury. The Veteran's statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service were not credible given the lack of medical records documenting such symptoms during or shortly after service.

The Veteran's left knee internal derangement with traumatic arthritis and loose bodies is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum allowable rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260-5261. The claim for an increased rating has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for scars of the right knee and right elbow, as well as his residuals of injuries of the knees, lower legs, elbows, and forearms other than those scars, are both granted. However, his claim for arthritis of the knees and elbows is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective March 20, 2006. The effective date for the bilateral hearing loss service connection was determined to be September 23, 1999.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in service and denied her claim for service connection.