Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder and right knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim for a back disorder and concluding that there is no competent medical evidence linking the current right knee disorder to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, to include as secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by post-operative residuals of a right lateral meniscectomy with retained foreign body, did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent from August 6, 2004 to September 1, 2009.

The Board found that chronic knee disability, including arthritis, was not present during service and current bilateral knee disability is first shown years after service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, as no evidence was provided that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his right wrist and left knee disabilities. The rating decision will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's original claim for service connection was received on September 16, 2002, before his discharge from service. Therefore, an effective date of October 1, 2002, is granted for the grant of service connection for multiple disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension. The Veteran's hypertension is found to be incurred in active military service.

The Veteran's right total knee replacement is currently rated at 30 percent, and no higher rating is warranted as his range of motion remains within the limits for a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a bilateral knee disability as the result of disease or injury incurred in service and denied her claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities of the bilateral knees and ankles were not incurred or aggravated by service, either on a direct basis or due to any presumptive conditions. The VA examiner found no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral elbow arthritis, a low back condition, and a left knee condition. However, these claims are being REMANDED to further develop the evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, including a recurrent meniscal tear and degenerative joint disease, warrants a staged rating of 20 percent from December 15, 2006 onwards.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the initial rating for degenerative joint disease of both knees with chondromalacia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable initial evaluation for his service-connected left knee scar, finding that there was no evidence of pain or other disabling symptoms associated with the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA examination and lack of private treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disorders are being reviewed.

The Veteran's current left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and arthritis of the left knee may not be presumed to have been so incurred.