Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for further development. The current highest possible rating of 40 percent has been assigned since August 10, 2007.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for hypertension and evaluation of degenerative changes, left knee. Specifically, a VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of hypertension, as well as an orthopedic examination to assess the current level of severity of the degenerative joint disease of the left knee.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease and patellofemoral syndrome, as well as left knee degenerative joint disease and patellofemoral syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his right knee disability, including stability.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied because his service dates do not correspond to any recognized period of war, thus he does not meet the basic eligibility requirements.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disability. He argues that he injured his knee during service when driving a bulldozer in Germany and hit a mine, causing the disability. The Board has determined that an examination is needed to determine if the current left knee disability was caused or aggravated by any incident in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his duodenal ulcer and right knee disability are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder, including internal derangement, was incurred in active service and granted service connection for a total left knee replacement following a total left meniscectomy and the onset of degenerative joint disease (DJD).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, which he claims is related to an in-service injury. The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability was granted, with a 30 percent evaluation effective March 1, 2002.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and back disorders are at least as likely as not related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for higher evaluations for his right knee disability is denied as the evidence does not show that he meets the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the period from January 1, 2006, to August 28, 2007, or in excess of 40 percent for the period beginning August 29, 2007.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with spondylosis and bilateral knee disorders are rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his current knee disabilities.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claim, but did not provide an opinion on whether he is entitled to service connection for bilateral knee or hip disabilities as secondary to his back disability.