Knee Board decisions

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims due to missing VA medical records and requests for private healthcare providers.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim as new and material evidence was not received to reopen his service connection for fractured right knee with surgical removal of the patella, due to the denial being final.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to deficiencies in the statement of the case and because his left ankle disability has worsened. He must be afforded a VA examination, and all relevant private treatment records must be requested.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative changes are found to be due to disease or injury incurred in service. The cervical spine disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, and headache disorder are not found to be related to service.

The Veteran claims service connection for a right knee disability, which he alleges was caused by an incident during active military service. The case is being remanded due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran seeks a higher rating for his left knee disability, but the case is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed bilateral knee disabilities, as well as whether they are related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to provide for his own daily personal care and maintenance, and he is housebound. The Board finds that the evidence supports a conclusion that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied all increased evaluation claims for osteoarthritis of the knees, hands, and ankles. The appellant's service-connected disabilities did not meet criteria for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for overuse syndrome of the right and left feet, but denied claims for a right shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA examination to determine if any low back and/or knee disability found is related to service or was manifested within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar disc disease, right knee traumatic arthritis, and residuals of right knee injury with chondromalacia patella and synovitis were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is found to be incurred in service, with the Board granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee disorder was found to have more nearly approximated disability equivalent to limitation of flexion to 45 degrees than it did disability equivalent to limitation of flexion to 30 degrees, including such considerations as pain on undertaking motion, fatigue, weakness and/or incoordination. As a result, the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination. The case may be referred for consideration of assignment of an extraschedular rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of both hips and knees was incurred during his period of active service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities did not have their onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is manifested by pain, crepitus, and limited motion to 100 degrees of flexion and 0 degrees of extension. The Board found the evidence insufficient for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.