Knee Board decisions

The Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed left knee disability and the VA medical treatment records do not provide sufficient evidence to establish that his amputation was caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder but remanded it to the RO for further development. The issues of service connection for low back, gastrointestinal, psychiatric, and dental disorders are also being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, diagnosed as osteochondritis and now confirmed with degenerative changes, are rated at 10 percent each under DC 5003 for limitation of motion. The effective date remains August 23, 2007.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 30 percent since July 30, 2008. He is also granted separate ratings of 10 percent for limitation of flexion and instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and left ankle disabilities are service-connected based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee, left hip, and right hip disorders as secondary to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are related to his service-connected osteochondritis dissecans.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 40 percent, and initial compensable ratings are assigned for his left knee disabilities. The TDIU claim was granted on an extraschedular basis effective from April 9, 1996.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the left knee disability receiving a 30% rating effective January 7, 2010. The hypertension and aortic stenosis disabilities received their respective initial ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability. The Veteran's claimed groin disability was not supported by evidence of record. Service connection was granted for residuals of pneumonia (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

The Veteran's claim for compensation under Title 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was denied as there is no evidence that the surgical implant caused his current disabilities, and the necessary consequences of the treatment were not intended to result from the surgery.

The Board has denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis due to trauma, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral hip disorders due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The Veteran's current conditions are considered significant enough to warrant consideration.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating for status post left knee anterior horn tear and lateral meniscus tear was withdrawn prior to a decision being made. The cases of his lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his headache disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased disability evaluation, service connection for right knee and low back disabilities, and bilateral hip disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the need for updated medical examinations and records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased evaluations of his right knee injuries and arthritis, thus the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for additional development and consideration of all potential theories of entitlement, including aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, specifically his right total knee replacement and dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and L3-4 herniated nucleus pulposus are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence from VA treatment records, medical opinions from 'Rhonda' and Dr. Flores, or any other relevant medical statements.