Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability was dismissed as he withdrew the issue at the Board hearing.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of right knee arthritis, finding that the original denial in 1989 was final and any reopening of the claim did not allow for a prior effective date.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including any relationship to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to fully and fairly consider the appellant's claims, including obtaining retired military medical records and VA treatment records. The appellant will be scheduled for a VA orthopedic examination to assess his thoracolumbar spine disability and right knee disorder.

The Veteran's right knee disability was found to be limited to 30 degrees of flexion for the period from September 9, 2009. Prior to this date, a 10 percent rating was granted based on limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for right knee arthritis, right hip arthritis, and left elbow spur and olecranon bursitis as these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, antral gastritis, and knee and wrist disabilities. The effective dates for the increased ratings were not granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and entitlement to TDIU, finding that there was no evidence of a current left knee disability that preexisted his service or was incurred therein. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected right knee, low back, and left thigh disabilities did not cause an increase in severity of his preexisting left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected shell fragment wound (SFW) of the left upper leg and a compensable rating for his SFW of the right thigh were addressed. The Veteran was granted service connection for DJD of the left knee, but denied service connection for a left knee replacement. His claims are considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess residual scarring. The claim will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, as well as whether it is secondary to service-connected rheumatoid arthritis or left knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current residuals from an infected toe, and his bilateral knee disorder and low back disorder are not related to service. The Veteran's residuals of a head and neck injury (claimed as tremors and a seizure disorder) were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and remanded it for further development. The Veteran's new VA examination will provide an opinion on whether her current right knee disorders are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis with residuals of a total knee replacement, is related to an injury sustained during active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury due to new evidence submitted. The decision is pending further development and review.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus were granted. However, his claims for lumbar spine disability, right knee osteoarthritis, and cervical spine disability were not supported by evidence of a nexus to active duty service.