Knee Board decisions

The Board has decided to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder and to remand that claim for additional development.

The Board has determined that a new medical examination is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, as the current evidence is insufficient to evaluate these claims. The appeal is REMANDED.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including the residuals of meniscectomies and degenerative joint disease, is rated at 30 percent disabling as of December 1, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee and low back disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as they have been shown to cause no more than slight limitation of motion.

The Veteran has been granted status as a Persian Gulf War veteran and is entitled to consideration for undiagnosed illness under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1117 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to conflicting medical findings and opinions regarding his service-connected left knee tendinitis. The case requires additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left ankle disorder in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for her right shoulder and right knee conditions, as they are not shown to be related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional records to be obtained from the Gainesville VAMC and for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, wrist, hip, and ankle disabilities, finding no evidence of direct service connection or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, finger, knee, foot, and chest conditions are not related to her active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip and left knee disabilities are not related to his active military service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, coronary artery disease, and low back disability. The Veteran's claims for reopening of renal mass, bladder cancer, left knee, and prostate disabilities were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his service-connected disabilities, employment history, educational attainment, and other factors.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain a new VA examination due to the inadequacy of the April 2011 VA examination report, which did not adequately address functional loss due to left knee pain or weakness.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for instability of the right knee, finding that it approximates moderate instability. The Veteran's DJD of the right knee is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is found to be at least as likely as not related to his service. Service connection for left elbow and right knee injuries is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to December 11, 2009 and at a combined 30 percent as of that date. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not found to be related to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left hip dislocation. The claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. Service connection remains pending for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of the TDIU issue.