Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right tibia and fibula. The claim to reopen for a right knee disability (other than nerve damage) was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. He is now entitled to a compensable rating for his right index finger disability, left little finger disability, and depression as secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was denied. The left knee disability is currently rated at 20% due to limitation of motion, and a separate rating of 30% is granted for instability beginning on October 6, 2005. No increased ratings are granted for the low back strain or GERD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected low back disability and left knee disability, as well as any additional treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee arthritis preexisted his second period of active military service and was not aggravated therein, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right knee disorders. The medical examinations have consistently shown normal knees without any current diagnoses.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorder and left shoulder disorder, as well as whether these conditions are related to service or any pre-existing condition. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, characterized by laxity and degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 20 percent under DC 5258. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The claims of reopening service connection and increasing the rating for right shoulder disability will be addressed after the hearing.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right Achilles tendonitis with tarsal tunnel release, left Achilles tendonitis with residuals and tarsal tunnel release, and bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder and left hip disorder secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, rated at 20 percent prior to February 25, 1999 and 30 percent from that date, has been considered under the applicable schedular criteria. The evidence does not show an exceptional or unusual disability picture that renders impractical the application of the regular rating schedule.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee problems are not causally related to service injury and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Reserve service records and a VA medical opinion. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee and left knee disorders are pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and addressing the DeLuca factors. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a right foot fracture and service connection for left and right knee and ankle conditions were denied. The Board found that the current rating for residuals, right foot fracture is not warranted as there was no evidence of moderate disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and left hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and addressing the issues of direct service connection as well as secondary service connection.