Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, psychiatric, right hip, and right knee disabilities are not service connected as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a fractured left medial malleolus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic right leg disorder to include arthritis that was incurred or aggravated by her active duty service. The VA examination did not find any current right leg disability.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and the Board has granted a temporary total rating for one month following percutaneous disc nucleoplasty. The Veteran also received an examination for his left knee condition and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right knee does not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial. The Board also found that the Veteran had continuous symptoms of right knee pain during and after service, leading to a determination that his current osteoarthritis is related to his in-service chondromalacia.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disability that he claims was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical opinions and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disabilities and lumbar strain do not warrant higher initial disability ratings as they do not meet the criteria for more severe disability evaluations based on range of motion or other relevant factors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability. However, after reviewing the reopened claim on the merits, the competent and probative evidence did not support the presence of a current left knee disability related to active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury and left knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The other claims were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and a right knee disorder were denied. The right knee disorder was granted as it is presumed to have existed prior to service. Service connection for the psychiatric disorders could not be established due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional VA treatment records.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected frostbite of both feet and left below knee amputation did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from coronary artery disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service and denied his claim.

The VA has determined that the appellant's right knee DJD does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for more severe disability ratings based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder does not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the appellant's left knee laxity, effective from March 17, 2004. The claim for increased evaluations for degenerative osteoarthritis and TDIU remains pending.