Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by limited motion and instability, has been rated at 10 percent since May 28, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, left knee disability, right knee degenerative joint disease, and diabetes mellitus type II, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hip, ankle, and knee disorders are not related to service or a service-connected condition. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected status-post lateral meniscus tear of the left knee was denied. The Board found that the current disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right knee and left knee, finding that new evidence supports reopening the claim. The Veteran's current knee disabilities are related to her active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10% disability rating for his left knee disability was denied as the September 1992 rating decision, which assigned a non-compensable rating, is final and there is no evidence of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in that decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic testicular disorder, but denied service connection for right knee and low back disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper notice.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left shoulder and left knee disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disorder related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, including whether it is related to service or pre-existed his service and was aggravated by in-service injuries. The VA examiner will also consider if the current left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected right hip injury, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral ankle strain.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, and service connection for a low back disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected knee and foot disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service. The disabilities are instead considered to be secondary to his service-connected pes cavus.

The Board has determined that an extra-schedular rating is not warranted for the Veteran's left knee disability as his symptoms are adequately contemplated by the regular schedular standards.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a bilateral knee disorder have been reopened, but the evidence does not support these claims. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. However, the claim for a bilateral knee disorder was denied as there is no medical nexus between the current condition and active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disability, but service connection is granted for chronic low back disability and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claim for right shoulder disability is denied.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is not related to his service, but a current wrist disability may be due to his service-connected PTSD. His gastrointestinal disability may be due to his service-connected right hip and sacroiliac joint disabilities.,The Veteran has a current bilateral wrist disability that is secondary to his service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues related to service connection, with some claims reopened due to new evidence. The case is being remanded for further action.