Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia is service-connected.,Right knee disability other than chondromalacia, left knee disability, and lumbar spine disability are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations for the Veteran's knee disabilities, as well as to obtain updated treatment records. The issues of service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection. His migraine headaches were evaluated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not related to service and is not secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be provided with an adequate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral knee disability, including arthritis. The examiner must provide opinions on whether any current right or left knee disability is related to service, including combat service, and if it was caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability was not found to warrant a higher initial rating from December 2, 2003, until April 22, 2008. From April 23, 2008, the disability did not meet criteria for an increased evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right total knee replacement was granted, and he is now rated at the maximum schedular disability evaluation. For his left knee fracture with degenerative changes, he received an increased rating to 10 percent effective June 10, 2010.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and whether it is related to service-connected pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee degenerative joint diseases are not service-connected, as they were not present during or within one year after his active service. The Board also found no evidence of a direct connection to service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's left knee disorder was not shown to be related to service, and the Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated as 20 percent disabling prior to July 6, 2010 and from September 1, 2010.,A separate rating of 10 percent for instability of the right knee prior to July 6, 2010 has been granted. However, a higher rating is not warranted from July 6, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination and additional development, as the current evidence is insufficient to determine whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a back disability, hypertension, right knee disability, sleep apnea, and disabilities of the bilateral hips. The decisions were based on secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for an ACL tear of the left knee, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated during active duty. The Veteran's initial injury occurred outside a period of active duty and he did not provide credible evidence of aggravation during INACDUTRA.,Service connection for cold weather injury to the left fingers was denied as there is no current diagnosis, no credible in-service exposure, and no competent evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee condition is etiologically related to his active military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), residuals of a lobectomy and pneumonia, bilateral knee disability, low back disability, and cervical spine disability has been granted. She is also awarded a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disability. The Board has determined that further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination, is necessary to make a determination on his claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain prior to July 21, 2009.