Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back strain, left knee condition, and kidney disease. The claim for TDIU was also denied. The Veteran's attempts to reopen his previously denied claims were unsuccessful.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and issues related to service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the feet, left knee, and right shoulder have been granted with initial ratings. The Veteran is not entitled to higher initial ratings for his service-connected right shoulder disability or left knee disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back disability, right knee disability, and sinusitis. However, it remains unclear whether these conditions are related to military service or if they were caused by other factors.

The Board finds that the Veteran's headaches, cervical spine disability involving a herniated disc at C-6, and right shoulder disorder were incurred in service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's bullet wound injury of the right upper back is granted service connection. The Board finds that his current knee disabilities are not related to his in-service injuries or his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that further development of the Veteran's claim is needed, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA orthopedic examination to determine if his left knee disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, including whether it is related to his service-connected left knee condition or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's patella tendon strain of the left knee has been rated at 30 percent, and her DJD of the left knee has been rated separately for limitation of extension at 10 percent. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with duty to assist and additional development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left hip disorders need further examination and medical opinion to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected right lower extremity disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and clarification of the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has decided in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection for a right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the appellant's tinnitus, sinusitis, bilateral knee disability, and headaches are all related to service. The heart murmur claim was denied in 1981 but reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability preexisted service and did not permanently increase in severity during service. The bilateral hearing loss was also found to be unrelated to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disorders are related to his service, with the evidence being in equipoise as to whether these conditions were caused by or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the left knee, status post surgery with degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 10 percent since June 2005. The current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, residuals of a left knee injury, and residuals of a left ankle injury due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.