Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and restoration of service connection were remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension or left knee disability that is related to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected deviated septum.

The Veteran's post-operative degenerative joint disease of the right knee has been manifested by pain, tenderness, stiffness, fatigability, weakness, crepitus, guarding of movement, and some limitation of flexion. The disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for right knee and right ankle disabilities as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The prior denials remain final.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals at the RO.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for an above-the-knee amputation of his left leg, which he claims was caused by a November 2006 VA podiatry treatment that resulted in infection and ultimately required an amputation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric disability is related to her service-connected left ankle disability, and her headaches are related to active service. However, there is no evidence of a direct relationship between any other claimed disabilities and service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, neuropathy of the upper extremities, right eye disability, cervical spine disability, headaches, and acne vulgaris. The appeals are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection for right knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, migraine headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of pulmonic systolic murmur, bilateral knee disorder, and back disorder. However, no new rating or effective date is assigned as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability. Additionally, the claim for TDIU must be addressed in accordance with procedural requirements.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating stems from the March 2010 rating decision that granted entitlement to service connection and assigned an initial evaluation. The Board finds that since March 4, 2008, the objective evidence does not demonstrate slight lateral instability, limitation of extension to 10 degrees, or limitation of flexion to 45 degrees for his right knee disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining service treatment records from the Veteran's recent period of active duty. The appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, status-post right above the knee amputation, as secondary to service-connected status-post left knee arthroplasty. The back disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for herniated nucleus pulposus, at L4-5, postoperative and traumatic arthritis, left knee, status post tibial osteotomy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for hypertension. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sinus disorder, arthritis of the knees, and glaucoma are all considered in light of the evidence presented.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claims for service connection for his right knee, neck, and upper back disorders.