Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's current left shoulder disability is presumed to be related to service, as evidenced by his reported symptoms and the VA examination.,Service connection for aplastic anemia has been granted based on a finding that it was caused by in-service exposure to benzene.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is manifested by findings of pain without evidence of arthritis, and without the following manifestations: additional functional loss due to pain, weakness, incoordination or fatigue so as to limit flexion to 30 degrees or less or limit extension to 15 degrees or more; recurrent subluxation or instability; or frequent episodes of locking and effusion into the joint.,The Veteran's service-connected left knee condition is manifested by findings of arthritis with pain, but without: additional functional loss due to pain, weakness, incoordination or fatigue so as to limit flexion to 30 degrees or less or limit extension to 15 degrees or more; recurrent subluxation or instability; or frequent episodes of locking and effusion into the joint.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss with a 10% disability rating, effective April 19, 2007. The Veteran's other claims were denied.

The Veteran's right femur and right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, reflecting more than slight but less than moderate disability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for both claims, including obtaining additional VA medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess his employability. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration if necessary.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities do not warrant an increased rating as they are currently rated, with flexion limited to less than the required degrees for higher ratings.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is found to have its onset during his second period of active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.,The Veteran withdrew from consideration the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a left leg disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's postoperative residuals of a right knee injury are not service-connected, and his arthritis of the right knee and ankle is also not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the RO increased his disability rating to 10 percent, effective September 2, 2009. The claim remains before the Board due to less than maximum benefit being awarded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed bilateral knee disability or low back disability, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled Travel Board hearing. His claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right knee conditions remains under consideration.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided are inadequate for adjudicating the Veteran's claims and has therefore ordered a new examination to determine the etiology of his back and bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision denying service connection for right ankle, hip, and knee disabilities is not final due to incomplete procedures. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's left total knee arthroplasty clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service, did not undergo an increase in severity during service beyond the natural progression of the disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to evaluate the severity of the service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran does not have a disability manifested by breathing difficulties that is attributable to active military service. The Board finds the Veteran's allegations of such a disability are not credible.

The Veteran's claimed bilateral knee disorder is found to be due to a current diagnosis of degenerative changes, which pre-dates service and is not related to any injury or disease in service. The Veteran's claimed bilateral ankle disorder has no diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to evaluate his service-connected left shoulder, right knee, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including audiometric and orthopedic examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.