Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee condition, despite some limitations in motion and pain, does not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation as his range of motion is within normal limits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disorder during active duty and denied service connection for the appellant's claimed right knee disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and unspecified joint disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during active service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim, but did not determine whether service connection should be granted as the Veteran's right knee injury was deemed less likely than not aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and SSA disability benefits records. A VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed night sweats.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a colon and digestive disorder, recurrent tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorder have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's gout of multiple joints, left ankle, left wrist, right wrist, left elbow, right elbow, left hand, right hand, left foot, and right foot have been granted increased disability ratings since June 4, 2010. The bursitis of the right knee has also been granted an increased disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disability and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right thumb laceration, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, with no additional rating granted for instability or arthritis. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and a rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee disability were denied. The Board found that there was no credible evidence to support the current existence of these conditions, particularly regarding tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, headaches, and bilateral knee disabilities. The issue of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a right upper extremity disability was also addressed.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for the Veteran's right upper extremity disability was denied as it did not meet the criteria of being due to VA treatment, or an event not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee arthritis as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability and for initial compensable ratings for scars of the left knee. The decision also dismissed a claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following some type of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as TDIU. The VA examiner must address whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is only 30 percent and does not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating. The preponderance of the evidence does not show that her disabilities are severe enough to prevent her from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee internal derangement with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and his left knee degenerative joint disease is rated as noncompensable. The Board has determined that the current ratings are appropriate.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the combined effects of all his service-connected disabilities on his employability.