Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling, and limited motion with no lateral instability or subluxation, does not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 20 percent for his service-connected residuals, status post torn medial meniscus and surgeries, right knee.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee strains have been rated as noncompensable since the date of service connection, April 26, 2006. Effective from April 2, 2010, a 10 percent rating has been assigned for each knee.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted an increased rating to 20 percent, effective October 13, 2005. The right knee disability was denied any increase in rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral knee disability. The decision also addressed his claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral glaucoma.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's current orthopedic and neurological manifestations of his cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The case is therefore REMANDED for further action.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation from active duty. The VA examiner opined that any current knee disorders are less likely caused by flat feet or cold injury to the feet.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disabilities and for obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's preexisting acne was aggravated by service, resulting in current disability. Service connection is granted for this condition. The Board finds that further examination and opinion are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral ankle disorder, left inguinal hernia, left varicocele, bilateral knee disorder, and left wrist disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and elbow conditions have been granted, with the right elbow and left elbow conditions remaining at zero percent. The left knee scar has been rated at ten percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee and loss of strength in the right wrist were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right elbow injury, left knee injury, right knee injury, head injury, and low back strain. As such, these claims remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder and back disorder were incurred during active service, granting his claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran has current stomach rash or right knee conditions related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection and granted it, finding that there is clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing left knee disability that was aggravated by active duty. The Veteran now has service connection for his degenerative changes in the left knee and chondromalacia of the left patella.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for hemorrhoids and degenerative arthritis of the left knee, as well as his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, require additional development. The case is being remanded to provide new VA examinations.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, warrants a separate 10 percent rating for laxity of the right knee as of September 3, 2009.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disorders, including bilateral knee, right shoulder, left wrist, low back, skin, sinus, and ear disorders. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess his current knee disabilities, as he reported worsening symptoms since undergoing arthroscopic surgery in 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempt to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a chronic left knee disorder during active duty and there is no competent evidence of record of a currently existing left knee disorder separate and apart from problems associated with his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome. Therefore, service connection for a left knee disorder was denied.