Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound of the right popliteal fossa and associated arthritis have been found to directly lead to his need for a total hip replacement, which is granted as secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, pain, uveitis, ankle disability, knee disability, hand disability, and fractures of the ribs. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities has been granted, with a rating of 10 percent for osteoporosis of the right knee secondary to the left knee disability. The left knee instability issue remains unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions and any residuals from cellulitis. Service connection will be considered based on the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and for a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for the left knee disorder are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues involving left knee disabilities, including entitlement to increased evaluations and an earlier effective date. The Veteran's workman's compensation records are also requested for review.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further development is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hiatal hernia with GERD and bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, low back condition, and bilateral pes planus. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability. It also determined that bilateral pes planus preexisted service and did not increase in severity during service. Finally, it concluded that a low back disability was not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left knee disorder and the Veteran's right hip disorder is not related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling conflict for his Travel Board hearing. The claims are now pending and will be rescheduled.

The Veteran's low back disorder was evaluated as 20 percent disabling prior to December 8, 2009. The current evidence does not show the required manifestations for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for a right and left hip disability, a back disability, and an increased rating for his left knee strain. However, further development is required before these claims can be adjudicated.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, but there is no current diagnosis of a left knee disorder. The Veteran's period of active service did not show any complaints or diagnoses related to either knee disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, right ear hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain was also denied. Additionally, the effective date of the total disability rating based on individual unemployability was not granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities. His increased ratings for the left knee and left ankle are granted, with a TDIU claim also being granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability and scar are currently rated at 10 percent, with no further increase granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.