Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's skin disease, including psoriasis and a benign tumor or tumors, was not found to be related to service-connected right below-the-knee amputation. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, vascular disease (exclusive of peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity), arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine, and kidney failure were all determined to be unrelated to military service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran sustained a left thumb fracture in service and has residuals of this injury. The right knee and left knee disabilities are not shown to be related to service.,There is no current evidence of a right or left knee disability, and the Veteran's statements regarding pain alone do not constitute a disability for which service connection may be granted.

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

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability, arthritis of the right knee, or arthritis of the left knee that is related to service. The evidence does not show that these conditions had their onset in active military service, manifested within one year of service separation, or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The case will be remanded to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records from 1973 to 1989. The VA examiner will provide an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and because he reported worsening symptoms since that examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any current right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since the May 1970 rating decision. The Board finds that the current diagnoses of right knee medial collateral ligament tear, flexion contracture, genu verum deformity, and chondromalacia/degenerative joint disease (DJD) are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability determination records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if his low back disorder is related to service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and lumbosacral spine, but denied an increased rating for the right knee. The Veteran's disability is rated under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim for service connection for a left knee condition can be adjudicated.

The Board has conceded the occurrence of a 1946 in-service incident where the Veteran slipped and fell, but there is no medical evidence linking any current left leg or knee disability to this incident. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current condition was less likely than not caused by his reported fall during service.

The Board denied the claim for an increased rating for left knee chondromalacia with synovitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is due to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment and personnel records, clarify his National Guard service status, provide notice regarding the requirements for reopening a secondary service connection claim, schedule VA examinations for his right knee, low back, and psychiatric disabilities, and determine whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board is remanding the case for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA medical records. The Veteran's claims include service connection for various joint disorders, Crohn's disease, and increased evaluations for his head injury with headaches.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for post-operative right knee injury with tear of the medial meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament with chondromalacia.