Knee Board decisions

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right knee disability. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical evidence and provide an orthopedic examination.

Service connection for right and left knee disabilities has been granted.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his right knee disability was denied as he failed to report for necessary VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his low back and neck disabilities are service-connected. The Board found the appropriate ratings for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current disability of low back, bilateral knee, hypertension or bronchitis as claimed. The evidence does not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently experiences low back strain, which is service-connected. However, there is no evidence linking his bilateral knee disorder to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically his residuals of bilateral femoral artery bypass.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her right knee disability, including an extension of the temporary total disability rating beyond March 1, 2005, following surgery in January 2005, was denied. The evidence did not demonstrate severe postoperative residuals or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right ear hearing loss, residuals of fractured left femur, and chronic right index finger strain. The decision also granted service connection for right knee chondromalacia with a 10 percent disability rating effective from June 23, 2006.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability is being remanded. His claim of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities were granted a disability rating of 10 percent, effective as of the date of claim for increase. The appeal was not about service connection.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, effective October 2007. The rating for Hepatitis C has been increased to 20 percent, also effective October 2007. The right knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings, reopening of service connection claims, and hepatitis C have all been denied by the RO.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 2, 2007 and upgraded to 20 percent effective from that date. The right knee disabilities were also rated at 10 percent prior to April 2, 2007 and upgraded to 20 percent effective from that date. The left hip disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since the initial rating period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disability, left knee disability, GERD, skin rash, and sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disabilities, as well as his attempt to reopen a claim for residuals of a fracture of the left foot. The decision did not address any specific rating or effective date.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for synovitis, right knee, with chondromalacia of the patella was denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected arthritis of the left knee, status post medial meniscectomy is currently rated at 10 percent. The VA examinations revealed that his range of motion was limited to 105 degrees flexion and 125 degrees extension with pain limiting it further. Despite these findings, the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating as the limitation in motion does not warrant an increase beyond the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or continuity of symptoms after discharge.