Knee Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of any current right or left hip disorders and concluded that the pre-existing right knee disorder did not worsen during service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right knee disability. The appeal is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records from 1996 to 2004 and from 2009 to present.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was denied due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease. The claim for increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss remains denied as the evidence does not show that the current level of disability warrants a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral sprained ankles, left knee disability, low back disability, and left elbow disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were generally granted, with the exception of his request to reopen a claim for service connection for a right foot disability. The rating for residuals of fracture, dislocation of right ankle with traumatic arthritis was increased from 10% to 20% effective June 3, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development of the record is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran was granted a combined disability rating of 70 percent for service-connected disabilities effective August 25, 2005. The Board found that the Veteran met the criteria for TDIU as of this date and confirmed the effective date of January 17, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional National Guard, VA, and private treatment records for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, but a new rating of 30 percent for tinea versicolor is granted based on the submission of new evidence.,Service connection was denied for bilateral knee and leg disabilities due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral knee disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic right hip or right knee disability for which service connection can be granted. The evidence shows no in-service injury to either joint, and no current diagnosis of a chronic condition.

The Board has determined that further medical examination and opinion are needed to determine the nature, etiology, and current severity of the Veteran's hepatitis C, bilateral knee disabilities, right foot disability, left foot disability, and skin condition. The case is therefore being REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee was restored to a 20% rating from January 19, 2006 to August 20, 2008. After that period, he is entitled to a 20% disability rating for his right knee and a higher than 20% rating for his left knee.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ear disability is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service otitis externa and his current symptoms. The claim for an increased rating for status post left knee arthroscopy with arthritis is remanded due to the need for updated VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee, right hip, and muscle headache conditions are being remanded for additional development to determine their relationship to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent effective from November 28, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is related to a right knee injury sustained during active duty for annual training with the Army National Guard in June 1978. As such, the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability and its impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left knee injuries and depression, do not render him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and ensure all due process requirements are met before the claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee can be adjudicated.