Knee Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but further development is needed before these claims can be adjudicated. The claim for low back disability is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the current claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, diagnosed as anserine bursitis, is a result of his in-service injury during Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA). As such, service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, bilateral hip, and low back disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and hypertension disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left knee disability, including a bruised left knee, osteoarthritis, and meniscectomy residuals, warrants a 20 percent rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple conditions, including cellulitis, otitis media, tinnitus, nasopharyngeal cancer (claimed as throat cancer), diabetes mellitus, glaucoma (claimed as blindness), coronary artery disease, and degenerative joint disease of both knees. The preponderance of evidence is against the Veteran's claims.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of his left knee disorder, low back disability, and bilateral foot calluses. The Board determined that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's instability of the left knee is currently rated at 20 percent, effective June 4, 2007. The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left knee remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by arthritis with painful motion and limited flexion to 60 degrees or less, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a DRO hearing at his local VA office.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the current evaluations of his service-connected disabilities are adequate and did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to any injury sustained in service other than his April 1999 accident, which was due to willful misconduct. The claim of service connection for migraine headaches was not addressed as it was not part of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further evidentiary development due to a change in representation and request for records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to January 17, 2007 and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from January 17, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, left hip, and tailbone disorders are not related to his service-connected left ankle disability or any other incident of military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, which was previously denied in March 1985.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and neck conditions due to a lack of competent evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not sustain a left knee injury or disease in service, and his current left knee disorder is not related to his active service. The claim for low back disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his low back, left knee, and left shoulder conditions, prevent him from continuing in his position as a machinist due to their severe effects on his ability to work. The Board finds that the cumulative effect of these disabilities makes it impossible for the Veteran to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

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