Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for L5-S1 small disc protrusion with degenerative disease, sciatica with neuropathy, and a left knee disorder, finding that these conditions are not etiologically related to or aggravated by service-connected disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by extension of 5 degrees or better and flexion of 35 degrees or better with pain on motion, does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee disorder, and defective vision have been denied as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.,The Board found no evidence of a current chronic back or left knee disorder related to the service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings on his service-connected conditions have been denied. The RO has granted service connection and assigned noncompensable disability ratings to all of the Veteran's service-connected conditions, effective December 1, 2003.

The Board finds that a preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a meniscus tear, was incurred in or otherwise the result of her active military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by osteoarthritis and a torn medial meniscus, was granted an initial rating of 10 percent. The condition is rated based on its direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on a need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his non-service-connected conditions.

VA determined that the Veteran's scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation, as they are not tender or painful and do not cause limitation of function.,VA also found that the Veteran's traumatic arthritic residuals of a fractured left hip do not warrant an increased rating beyond 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records. The Veteran's left hip and/or left knee disabilities are to be evaluated by a VA examiner.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities, but denied reopening of his claim for a low back disability. The Veteran was assigned 20 percent ratings for each knee from October 5, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia patella of the right and left knees, as well as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, were denied by the RO. The Board is remanding this case to further develop the claim regarding her low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an expert opinion regarding his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA outpatient treatment records, schedule a right knee examination, and review the evidence in light of the new information.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability (claimed as secondary to left knee disability) due to lack of evidence showing a link between these disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and an initial rating for PTSD, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service. The pre-existing Osgood-Schlatter disease did not aggravate beyond its natural progression during active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is not etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of CUE in two rating decisions and also denied his claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU. The Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal on any of these issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to his service and denied his claim.