Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a bilateral knee disorder, but denied the claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD. The Veteran's claims are remanded to consider his contention that his current condition is more severe than what was contemplated by the March 2007 VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability caused his right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and chondromalacia of both knees are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a VA examination of his left knee disability. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings. This includes obtaining medical records, arranging for a VA examination, and determining if there are any other relevant issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, residuals of left knee injury, and GERD are all service-connected as they were first manifested during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for left knee disability, increased rating for degenerative disc disease with spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and increased rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with degenerative disc disease with spondylosis of the lumbar spine are on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and an inadequate statement of reasons for rejecting a December 2005 VA opinion. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with these issues addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities are being remanded to the RO for further development, including consideration of new evidence submitted since the September 2011 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and limitation of motion, is currently rated at 10 percent. The appeal has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disorders, as well as his bilateral ankle disorders, were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The disorders were also not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for left knee and right ankle disabilities have been granted, with the right ankle receiving a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for his left knee disability is denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee meniscus repair.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VCAA notice and a VA examination for his right ankle disability. The claims will be readjudicated after the development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and ring finger disorders have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities.,For PTSD, the Veteran is rated at 50 percent since April 2007, with no higher evaluation granted.

The Veteran's death was due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes and knee replacements. The appellant is entitled to accrued benefits for a TDIU based on the Veteran's pending claim at the time of his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing at the RO in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees are being remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling a VA examination.