Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee soft tissue contusion and chondrosis is at least as likely as not related to his military service, including an in-service injury. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of chronic conditions during or following service. The current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and low back disorders are denied as these conditions are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his right foot, knee, and shoulder disabilities. The evidence did not support a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been denied. The Board finds no evidence of a current left knee disorder or right toe disorder, and the Veteran has not provided sufficient medical evidence to establish an in-service event that may be associated with his current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia, secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities is granted. The claims for increased ratings for left and right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis are denied.

The Board has granted initial compensable ratings for chondromalacia of the right and left knees from specific dates, with a final rating of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability and granted it on the merits, finding that new evidence submitted since the last denial shows that his current left knee condition is related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, residuals of nose fracture, bilateral knee disorder, and persistent strep throat disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, TDIU, and right and left knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file for VA to make a decision on the claim. The Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disorders need to be evaluated by an appropriately qualified medical professional.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to ambiguity surrounding the etiology of any current bilateral knee pathology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's September 1, 2009 substantive appeal was not timely filed and thus his claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disorders, including arthritis, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The disorders are also not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by service-connected lumbar myositis.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an extraschedular evaluation for right knee disability. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to individual unemployability benefits is remanded.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is rated at 20 percent since March 11, 2011. Prior to that date, the disability was rated as 10 percent for limitation of motion and 30 percent for instability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a left foot disability was granted, and he is now receiving the maximum schedular rating available. The Board also granted his claims for service connection for various orthopedic disabilities and anxiety disorder, as well as TDIU.

The Board is remanding the claims for further development due to the need to obtain additional medical records and personnel/administrative records from Fort Ord Medical Clinic, as well as a VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling an additional hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the Boston RO. The claims will be returned to the Board following completion of this action.