Knee Board decisions

The Veteran is seeking service connection for residual conditions from frostbite. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities due to new evidence provided by private medical records. The claim is granted as there is now a reasonable possibility that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in dismissal of the case.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and hypertension. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to determine if any current knee or hypertension disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, to include arthritis, is being remanded due to the loss of his original claims file and need for additional development including medical examination.

The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease affecting the knees and hips, and denied service connection for all four claimed conditions as they are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected peroneal tendonitis of the right ankle with chronic instability and a chronic lateral complex tear.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are not related to her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence received since the May 2010 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the current manifestations of his cervical spine disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, while those of his left knee disability did not meet criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to his service, including his service-connected left foot disorder. Therefore, service connection for a left knee disorder secondary to a service-connected left foot disorder is denied.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board granted an increased rating of 10 percent for the left knee arthroscopic and partial medial meniscectomy residuals, effective from May 2006 until February 2011.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination. The Veteran's upper back disability is being considered based on direct service connection, while his right foot strain and knee disabilities are still under review.

The Veteran seeks service connection for multiple disorders, including right knee, right leg, back, and left foot conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain missing service treatment records and additional medical evidence.

The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome does not warrant a higher disability rating, as it did not demonstrate instability or other symptoms that would justify a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Codes 5257 and 5260. The current 10% rating is based on reported pain and functional impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for right and left knee conditions remain on hold until further notice.

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia status post arthroplasty prior to July 29, 2008 was manifested by full flexion and limited extension with pain. The current range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's case is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims for increased ratings for left hip and left knee disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service connection claims, including obtaining medical records and verifying periods of active duty.