Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia with medial meniscus tear of both knees, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and hearing loss. The noncompensable rating assigned for his hearing loss disability is upheld.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his left knee disabilities remain at 10 percent, as the evidence does not show limitation of motion or instability that warrants a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of chronic back or right knee disabilities during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection. The decision is mixed as it considered new evidence but did not reopen the claims.

The Veteran's face, chest, arm, knee, and dental disabilities are not service-connected.,No current diagnosis was found for the Veteran's face or chest conditions. The right and left arms have mild degenerative changes with no current condition diagnosed. Right and left knees have severe osteoarthritic changes aggravated by trauma.

The Board found no evidence linking the cause of the Veteran's death to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining service records and VA medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is granted a 100% evaluation for one year following the revision of his left total knee arthroplasty on July 3, 2007.

The Board found no evidence of current chronic disabilities for the left knee, right ankle, or left chest injury during service. The Veteran's complaints were resolved and he was provided treatment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for various disabilities, including PTSD, knee conditions, elbow degenerative joint disease, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, wrist condition/carpal tunnel syndrome, and left elbow disability. The decision also grants service connection for a bilateral arm disability (claimed as bilateral shoulder disability).

The Veteran's knee conditions have been evaluated based on their current manifestations and do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection with a rating of 20 percent effective March 31, 2008. The left knee disability was also granted service connection with a rating of 10 percent effective the same date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and determining if certain issues are on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current right hip or right knee disorders, including whether they are related to service. The case is therefore being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating criteria, as they are considered slight muscle injuries and superficial in nature.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not related to his service, as any injuries sustained in service were acute and resolved without residual disability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for new VA examinations and additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, increased ratings for his degenerative lumbar spine disease and knee conditions, and an initial compensable evaluation for his mood disorder. The claim for a TDIU effective date prior to June 17, 2009 was also addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee DJD was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left TKR, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.