Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a right knee disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received by the AMC, and the Veteran's request for AOJ review of this evidence.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly his low back disability. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the RO granted service connection and assigned a noncompensable (0 percent) rating for his right knee disability, effective April 11, 2006. Despite the higher initial rating established for the right knee disability, the Veteran has not been awarded the highest possible rating.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further proceedings, including adjudication of the claims on their underlying merits and completion of any additional development deemed necessary.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating, on an extraschedular basis, for his service-connected right knee muscle injury postoperative is being remanded due to insufficient development and lack of substantial compliance with previous Board directives.

The Board found no current medically-diagnosed chronic knee disorder and concluded that the Veteran did not incur a bilateral knee disorder in service or have such disorder as a result of service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The residuals of a fracture of the sternum are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7804 or 7801. Service connection was not granted for osteoarthritis of the knees or degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing additional opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for the left knee instability since June 8, 2011. The Veteran's left knee disability is productive of painful limitation of flexion and extension.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol dependence and degenerative joint diseases of the spine, knee, and foot, have rendered him permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee strain was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim for service connection. The right ankle disability issue is remanded as it requires further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by arthritis and instability, warrants a 10 percent rating for each component throughout the period of the claim.

The Board has vacated its August 2011 decision dismissing the Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left knee disability due to an incomplete record. The case is now being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen her previously denied claim. The additional evidence received since August 1997 did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including private treatment records from Dr. R.S.M., and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn as to his right knee disorder, left knee disorder, hearing loss, multiple arthralgias (joint pain), and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including amputation of the left lower extremity and other conditions, require regular aid and attendance. The case is being remanded for further review.