Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder and hiatal hernia did not cause his death. His underlying cardiovascular condition was not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional notice and development are needed before the claims can be decided.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent for limitation of extension and a separate 20 percent rating for lateral instability/subluxation. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for severe instability or subluxation.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right leg and/or knee disability, resulting in a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities are service-connected. The PTSD claim is also granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a chronic right knee disorder, including gout, degenerative joint disease, and osteoarthritis. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA joints examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for various orthopedic conditions, including back, shoulder, knee, hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, the claims are being remanded for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board found that the cause of death was not related to service-connected disabilities and denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including right arm radial nerve neuropathy, shoulder rotator cuff repair, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, left and right knee surgeries, and GERD. The appeals were addressed in the context of initial ratings assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to residuals of a toe fracture of the right foot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disorder and skin disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits were also denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability characterized as lateral instability has been rated at 10 percent prior to August 13, 2010 and increased to 30 percent effective August 13, 2010.,For the period since August 13, 2010, a rating in excess of 30 percent for degenerative changes, residuals of arthrotomy of the right knee with limited extension is not warranted.

The Board has determined that there is no probative evidence to support the Veteran's claim of a bilateral knee disorder being secondary to his service-connected left foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain, but the claims of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by arthritis with some limitation of motion and no instability, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral leg amputations, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The RO should clarify his representation status and schedule him for a hearing at the earliest available opportunity.