Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a claimed back disorder and bilateral hip disorder, finding no evidence of current disabilities or causation by service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability was initially rated as noncompensable prior to February 17, 2010. Effective from that date, a rating of 10 percent is granted for the disability.

The Veteran's hypertension was found to have been incurred during service, and he is now granted service connection for this condition. The initial increased ratings for his left knee and right knee disabilities are also granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability was found to be rated at 10 percent from October 3, 2001 to January 29, 2010 and at 30 percent since January 30, 2010. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for amputations of his legs are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability is denied as the evidence does not show that any limitation of motion or instability warrants a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury due to new and material evidence submitted since the final denial in December 1985. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from Indianapolis VAMC in 1986 and any other relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee and low back disabilities, granting him service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current left knee disorders to his service, and denied both primary and secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for completion of several directives, including determining the Veteran's current address and clarifying his representation preferences. The case is now pending further action.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is currently rated as 10 percent disabling due to flexion limited to 100 degrees. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 50 percent disabling. Both conditions are not entitled to a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, residuals of a back injury, right knee condition, left knee condition, right hip traumatic arthritis, left hip traumatic arthritis, right leg nerve damage, left leg nerve damage, right hallux malleus (hammertoes), and left hallux malleus. However, the claims are denied as service connection is not established for these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee tendonitis and patellofemoral syndrome are currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of extension, with separate ratings for limited flexion and instability. The current evaluations are consistent with the functional impairment described.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to allow for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disability and a lumbar spine disability, to include ankylosing spondylitis. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining service treatment records from the Veteran's deployment during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is not related to his active military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment is denied as the evidence does not show loss of use of one or both feet due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his right leg injuries, including knee and ankle disabilities, is being remanded to the RO/AMC for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for back and left knee disorders due to incomplete records, including ONG records and private treatment records from Dr. B.E.