Knee Board decisions

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's right knee disorder is due to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her claims for service connection are not supported by the evidence of record.,The Veteran was granted service connection for depression, but denied service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an anterior left lower leg disability and a left knee disability, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a left lower anterior tibia laceration, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU, as they are not found to be unemployable due solely to his service-connected conditions. The dental disorder claims remain unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining outstanding records. The claims for higher ratings will be adjudicated in light of all pertinent evidence and legal authority.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's arthritis of the knees originated in service, and the medical opinion supports this finding.

The Veteran's right knee disability was reduced from 30 percent to 10 percent effective June 1, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of material improvement in his condition at the time of the reduction and thus grants restoration of the 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is service-connected, as it was incurred during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of February 27, 2002 for his TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that he was precluded from following a substantially gainful occupation prior to this date.

The Veteran's left and right knees exhibit a range of motion, with no additional limitation on repetitive use. The RO denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, which includes limitation of motion and symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage (partial lateral meniscectomy).

The Board denied service connection for gout involving the feet and knees, as well as a left knee disability on both direct and secondary bases. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability and determine if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the postoperative residuals of medial meniscal tear and synovitis with plica of the right knee are related to service-connected disability, specifically patello-femoral syndrome. As such, the claim is granted.

The Veteran has a scar on the left knee that is as likely as not related to an in-service shrapnel wound. The Veteran does not have an orthopedic disability involving the left knee that is attributable to service or to include service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not have onset in service or within one year of service and was not caused or aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post-operative herniated disc of the lumbar spine with left sciatica, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, status post amputation of the left little finger, bipolar disorder, tinnitus, asbestosis, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were aggravated by his final period of active service, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for new and material evidence to reopen his service connection claims are being remanded due to the failure to report for a scheduled hearing. The Board will reschedule the Veteran for a Travel Board hearing at the earliest available opportunity.