Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was previously denied in a February 1999 rating decision. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim.,The Veteran contends that his current sinusitis is related to his service-connected sleep apnea, which he claims began after surgery in 1993. He also asserts that his left knee disability and right and left ankle disabilities are due to physical stress from his duties on the flight deck.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder bursitis and entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left upper extremity carpel tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, left knee shell fragment wound residuals, tinnitus, degenerative changes of the left knee, and varicosities of the left leg, render him unemployable. The Board has determined that his service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left ankle fracture with traumatic arthritis since October 30, 2010. The appeal is dismissed as there was no evidence to support reopening or changing the rating assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability began in service and has continued since, granting service connection for this condition.

The VA has granted a separate compensable evaluation of 10 percent for the right knee surgical scar, residual of a meniscectomy. The previous rating decision from March 1960 did not include this condition in the compensation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his military service or caused by his service-connected right ankle sprain, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability was denied. The Board found that the current rating of 20 percent for limitation of flexion and pain related to pre-service left knee wound, service aggravated, is appropriate.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since September 25, 2003. The current rating is for pain and some limitation of motion, with a separate 10 percent rating for slight instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability and hypertension are related to his service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as the reduction of his disability compensation benefits to 10 percent, effective May [redacted], 1996, due to incarceration for a felony conviction was proper.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for an increased rating on the left knee disability prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder. However, the claim remains denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence (CUE) of preexisting condition aggravation during military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is not shown to be due to a disease or injury in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acne, left knee arthralgia (status post ACL repair), and degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder were not incurred or aggravated in active service. The preexisting conditions are presumed to have existed prior to service, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that they were aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability. The claims of entitlement to service connection for back and bilateral hip disabilities are remanded due to their inextricably intertwined nature with the reopened left knee disability claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and arthritis prior to May 9, 2007 surgery, is rated at 20 percent for instability and a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis. The appeal regarding service connection for left knee disability, varicose veins of the left lower extremity, and varicose veins of the right lower extremity is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to scheduling issues, including arranging a Travel Board hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee and ankle disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis, bilateral knees and found that new evidence supports this reopening. The psychiatric disability claim is remanded for further development.