Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee, right knee, and left hip disorders are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings. Additionally, the claim for service connection for a right hip disorder is also being remanded as there was no adequate examination or opinion regarding this issue.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is not related to his period of service, and denied his claim for service connection.,The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's dental trauma did not result from an injury during his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left hip dysplasia, removal of the uterus, chronic tendonitis of the left shoulder, spondylolysis of the lumbar spine, cervical strain with trace bulging at the C4-5, C5-6 and C6-7 levels, chronic tendonitis left knee, uterine fibroids, and removal of the right ovary, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are rated at 10% each, but the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or any other applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left and right knee osteoarthropathy and patellofemoral pain syndrome were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the right knee injury is not related to service, bursitis of the right shoulder does not warrant a higher rating, and the flexion deformity of the right index finger does not meet criteria for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability was initially rated as 10 percent disabling prior to March 16, 2009. From that date, the disability is rated at 10 percent for instability and 20 percent for a separate rating for instability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate medical examinations and incomplete service treatment records. Further examination is needed, and the RO must obtain his ACDUTRA service records.

The Veteran's knee, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic cough, and headaches are being remanded for further development to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including limitation of flexion and a scar, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's instability and recurrent subluxation are not service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including verifying service dates and obtaining clinical treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for generalized arthritis, involving the knees and shoulders, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and instability, has been granted a 20% rating since May 22, 1998. A separate 20% rating for instability is effective from November 2, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, right shin splints, left shin splints, and a right femoral condyle disability. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his right knee disability, service connection for a left knee disability secondary to his right knee disability, and service connection for a low back disability secondary to his right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Board has determined that an additional examination is necessary to adjudicate the claim for service connection of residuals from a left knee injury. The Veteran's current symptoms may be related to his in-service injury, but this needs further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as a VA examination found that his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus would not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, headaches, and right knee disorder have been denied. The claim for headaches has been granted as new and material evidence has been received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, shoulder, and knee disorders are not related to service. The evidence does not show a chronic disability of these conditions during service or within one year after separation from service.