Knee Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left knee disability may be related to service, raising a reasonable doubt in favor of his claim.,There is no evidence showing continued right ankle problems following service, and the VA examiners have determined that the current right ankle disability is not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations for his left knee disability and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and conducting VA examinations to evaluate his cervical spine disability and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected left knee osteoarthritic changes is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's posttraumatic arthritis of the left knee was rated at 10 percent prior to January 22, 2010. The instability of the left knee was also rated at 10 percent prior to that date.

The Veteran's hypertension, sinusitis, right knee tendinitis, and lumbosacral strain have been granted initial evaluations of 10 percent each.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee injury during service and concluded that the current disability is not related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has been rated as 20 percent disabling since April 4, 2007. The rating is for chondromalacia of the right patellofemoral joint (knee).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, chronic sinusitis, headaches, a right inguinal hernia, and hemorrhoids. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's left knee injury during service did not result in any current residuals or diagnosed condition, and the Board finds that her claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in the form of obtaining service treatment records, confirming active duty periods, and scheduling VA examinations for the Veteran's left shoulder and right knee. The appeal will be remanded to allow this development.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees have been granted initial ratings of 10% each, with no evidence of lateral instability or recurrent subluxation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient rationale in a medical opinion letter.

The Veteran's left knee disability was evaluated at 30 percent prior to February 11, 2004. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the period prior to January 6, 2004.

The Veteran's left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disorders were not shown to be related to service or any disability incurred therein. The Board found no continuity of symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for TDIU as he has a single service-connected disability rated at 40 percent or more (migraine headaches) and a combined rating of 70 percent or more. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including his anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and subtotal medial meniscectomy, is a result of service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her left knee disability was granted, with the effective date being May 28, 2011. The current rating is now 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence to support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of any claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeals were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating or an initial compensable rating and a rating in excess of 30 percent from August 9, 2008 for coronary artery disease (CAD).