Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disability existed prior to service and was not aggravated by active duty. However, there is a need for an opinion regarding whether the condition underwent permanent worsening beyond its natural progression during service.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee complaints, as they may be related to his service-connected ankle disabilities or other identified knee disorders.

The Veteran's left knee disability is characterized by a limitation of flexion to 90 degrees and extension to 4 degrees, but no ankylosis or severe instability. A separate rating for extension limited to 15 degrees has been granted.,For the period since August 1, 2007, the Veteran's right knee disability is characterized by pain, swelling, and chronic symptoms such as effusion and occasional locking; however, subluxation or dislocation has not been shown. A rating in excess of 20 percent for this period has not been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have not met the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation prior to May 21, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and providing an addendum to the May 2011 VA examiner's report.

The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right knee disability had its onset during active service, and granted service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as to the issues of entitlement to service connection for Hepatitis C and a bilateral knee disability due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine the cause of his retirement and whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal was timely filed, and the Board is reopening his claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability. The other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's sick sinus syndrome is found to be caused by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The right knee degenerative joint disease status post total knee arthroplasty has been granted a 60% evaluation since May 1, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and left knee disorder, finding no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence/aggravation.,Service connection was not established for the skin (rash) disability due to lack of clear evidence.

The Veteran's left calf disability, characterized by atrophy and hyperflexia, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right knee arthritis and left knee arthroscopy with posttraumatic arthritis, finding that his disability did not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for right and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome have been granted at a 10 percent rating each, with no higher.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability, including residuals of cataract surgeries and detached left retina, right shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder are all found to be related to his active service. The claims for sinus disorder and hemorrhoids are not addressed as they were not part of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist pain/carpal tunnel syndrome, right knee strain/pain, left knee strain/pain, right ankle strain/pain, and left ankle strain/pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence and potential increase in disability since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition/partial tear and bilateral knee disorders is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and readjudicating the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip arthritis is more likely than not related to trauma caused by multiple parachute jumps in active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.