Knee Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of varicose veins in service and denied the claim for service connection. For the knee disabilities, the Board concluded that there was no showing of an event or disease occurring in service resulting in current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his claims for service connection for bilateral knee injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney disorder, clavicle fracture, left buttock muscle injury, fractured pelvis and bilateral knee disorders have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing left knee disability did not increase in severity during his ADSW service, and therefore could not be considered aggravated by service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee condition was not found to warrant a higher rating, and the muscle pain in legs and chronic fatigue/sleep disturbance were determined to be secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, low back strain, diabetes mellitus, cervical strain, and multiple knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that a TDIU rating is warranted based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation due to need for aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, status post arthroscopic debridement. The issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination and consideration of extraschedular ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a knee disability and an initial compensable rating for hearing loss in the right ear were denied. The AOJ failed to provide proper development as required by previous remands.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current diagnoses to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders did not develop during service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, and his left knee scar is rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain/sprain syndrome, left knee arthritis, and right knee traumatic arthritis were denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions warranted an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as her combined disability rating is 80 percent, which does not satisfy the requirement of at least one disability rated at 40 percent or more with additional disability to bring the combined rating to 70 percent or more.

The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on extraschedular criteria or instability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability. The claims for right hip and left hip disabilities are pending with further development required, while the issue of initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and peptic ulcer disease, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service. The claim for arthritis of the right knee was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Diabetes mellitus and peptic ulcer disease were not shown within one year of service separation, and there is no current disability associated with either condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity of her knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, including providing proper VCAA notice and obtaining additional medical records. The case will be remanded for these actions.