Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings require additional development, including VA examinations to assess his right knee disorder, back disorder, residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right thigh, and diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded to allow this development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show blood pressure readings showing diastolic pressure of predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure of predominantly 200 or more to warrant a higher rating of 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7101 for hypertension. For the period beginning May 3, 2007, a 30 percent rating is warranted for the Veteran's residuals of fistula in ano.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by military service, as there was no chronicity of symptoms since service separation. The VA examination reports did not indicate any current diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5003, reflecting limitation of motion. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal concerning his claim for service connection for shortening of the right leg. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide a new VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any current right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The case is remanded due to the need for further medical development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and service connection for a stress disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records from 2009 to present. The Veteran is also advised of the need for secondary service-connection evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, migraine headaches, and seizure disorder. The effective date for the grant of service connection for migraine headaches was set at October 5, 2009.

The Board found no current diagnoses of hypertension, right knee disorder, back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus. The Veteran's service treatment records and post-service medical records do not show any signs or symptoms of these conditions during or after his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any condition related to his service, and therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right knee disability, as well as his claim for an increased rating for his left ankle condition. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board found no current diagnoses of a right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, or right knee disorder at any time during the pendency of the appeal.,For the left knee disorder, the Board did not find credible evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a supplemental VA examination to determine if his bilateral hip and knee disabilities are permanently aggravated by his service-connected hammertoes.

The Veteran's appeal of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist was withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision. The remaining issues have been addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records. The case will be reviewed by the RO after all necessary actions are completed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability and bilateral pes planus were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The preexisting conditions did not show an increase in severity during service, and there was no evidence of aggravation.

The Veteran's right knee disability is found to be service-connected. The claim for joint pain, including left knee and left ankle pain, was not fully adjudicated as it pertains to secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities and lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.