Knee Board decisions

The VA determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for her residuals of a right knee strain, status post arthroscopic surgery with open lateral release, and her low back pain disability have been granted. Her initial compensable disability rating for her bilateral foot strain with plantar fasciitis has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and DJD of the right knee have been denied as there is no evidence to support higher ratings at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, knee disorders, shoulder disorders, elbow disorders, wrist and hand disorders, low back disorder, right ankle disorder, and TMJ (chronic pain), were denied as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the service-connected bilateral knee and pes planus disabilities did not substantially or materially contribute to the Veteran's death from cardiopulmonary arrest due to cardiomyopathy. The VA physician concluded there was no evidence they contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee strain is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and further development.

The Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to bilateral above-the-knee amputations is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining quality-assurance records from VHA.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, and the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of his disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee sprain did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his flexion was limited to no worse than 95 degrees and extension was full. The current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the functional loss due to pain and weakness.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings prior to July 24, 2007 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent for his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records, a need for further examination, and inadequate notice. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right knee injury is now pending.

The Veteran did not have a current bilateral knee, right ankle, or left leg disability and the Board finds that his reported in-service injuries are outweighed by more contemporaneous evidence. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during active military service. However, his claims of service connection for arthritis of the knees and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.,There is a lack of credible evidence demonstrating continuity of symptomatology for the Veteran's claimed knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current left knee disability, as well as the severity of service-connected irritable bowel syndrome. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability, primarily manifested by arthritis and a scar from surgery, does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, citing that it was resolved with the grant of service connection for residuals of a blunt trauma to the anterior distal of the right thigh.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee status post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, arthroscopy, medial meniscectomy, and subtotal medial meniscectomy is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, a heart disability, and other conditions. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for additional development of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has found service connection for the claimed conditions, with resolution of doubt in favor of the Veteran. The criteria for secondary service connection are met.