Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and TDIU were denied as there was no evidence of unemployability prior to April 1, 1999.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability had its onset during active service and is related to his military service, granting him service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for degenerative changes in the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding them at least as likely as not due to an in-service ship collision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a cold injury, and therefore service connection for cold injury residuals is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is currently rated at 60 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right knee disability that was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, including as secondary to a right knee disability. The case will be remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, as new and material evidence was received. The claim for a neck disorder remains denied due to lack of competent evidence linking current symptoms to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death, and thus grants the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal before the Board could make a decision, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran underwent bilateral above the knee amputations at VA facilities in September and October 2006. The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records, including those from West Roxbury VAMC and Brockton VAMC, as well as SSA disability determination records. A supplemental opinion will be requested from a physician who provided an initial opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and lateral laxity of the left knee were denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, and right knee disorders are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is currently in remand status due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's claims of service connection and initial compensable ratings for left knee bursitis, right knee ganglion cyst, right wrist distal radius fracture, and left ear hearing loss have been granted. The effective date is September 1, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and proper VCAA notice.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and secondary service connection for sinusitis. The August 22, 1975 rating decision denying service connection for a right knee disorder is not found to contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, and left wrist arthritis. The claim for chloracne is also reopened. However, the Board finds that additional development is needed to determine whether these conditions are related to Agent Orange exposure or other causes.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes a history of ACL reconstruction and residual scar, is currently rated at 20 percent. The VA has determined that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and limitation of motion without instability or subluxation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, and tendon disorder of the left foot (to include a left ankle disorder). The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.