Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was granted prior to December 18, 2007. From December 18, 2007 onward, a separate 10 percent rating was assigned.,For the period from October 22, 2009 onward, an initial rating of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of both feet and both knees was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination and further development of his left knee disability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left knee disability in service or within the first post-service year, and concluded that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a supplemental opinion regarding his left knee condition, which was not adequately addressed in the previous VA examination. The case will be reviewed again based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee condition is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that an increased evaluation is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right leg, right knee, and right shoulder disorders due to a lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or a link between his in-service symptoms and his current conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference hearing at the RO with a member of the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying his combat history.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee and left ankle disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service injury and his current conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her service-connected degenerative changes of the right knee and laxity of the right knee, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent or 20 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to evaluate her left knee disability, which may be related to her service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran requested a hearing, but later withdrew his appeal. The Board dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The case is now remanded for further development, including verification of periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The Board has granted service connection for avascular necrosis/trochanteric bursitis of the right hip, degenerative osteoarthritis of the right knee, and discogenic changes of the lumbar spine as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5259. The VA examination revealed full range of motion and no instability, warranting a finding that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim can be decided, including obtaining service treatment records and VA clinical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate his left knee disability and consideration of the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee condition, characterized as residuals of a right medial meniscectomy and total knee replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability, including degenerative changes, is not shown to be due to an injury or other event of his period of active service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her failure to report for a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling another in-person hearing at the Nashville RO.