Knee Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disability during service or within one year after separation, and the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his military service. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to June 1, 2009 and increased to 30 percent from June 1, 2009. The Board found that the current ratings did not accurately reflect the true nature and degree of his disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability was aggravated by his periods of active duty and to obtain all relevant medical records. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for his right knee disability as it was aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not related to service, but the claim for low back disability has no new evidence material enough to reopen it. The Board found that the current right knee disability is due to aging and left knee arthritis, not service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,The claim of new and material evidence to reopen a left knee disability has also been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, ankle, and knee conditions as well as a skin condition. The appeals were not granted due to lack of evidence or new material evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including symptoms of instability and pain, has not met the criteria for a higher rating since January 11, 2010. The current rating of 30% is the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Codes 5261 (limitation of extension) and 5259 (surgically removed semilunar cartilage).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral knee disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that these ratings are not warranted for increased disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting an appropriate VA examination.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee and left ankle disabilities, as there is no current disability related to documented incidents during active service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and thus no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his migraine headaches and determine the nature and likely etiology of any claimed psychiatric disorder. The right knee disorder claim will also be remanded.

For the period from April 12, 2007, to July 10, 2009, the Veteran's left knee disability was evaluated as 10 percent disabling based on osteoarthritis and limitation of flexion. A separate 10 percent evaluation was granted for noncompensable limitation of extension due to significant functional impairment.,For the period from July 11, 2009, the Veteran's left knee disability is evaluated as 10 percent disabling based on osteoarthritis and limitation of extension to 5 degrees with significant functional impairment due to pain.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a video conference hearing at the local VA office in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of bilateral pterygium removal due to aggravation during active military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including ratings for his knee and leg disabilities, effective date claims, and a need for permanent aid and attendance. The case is being remanded to allow for further development of medical evidence and clarification of the Veteran's entitlement.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing left ankle and knee disabilities were not aggravated by his military service, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and incomplete consideration of all evidence.