Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder. However, the most probative evidence indicates that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, warranted a 10 percent rating based on limitation of motion. The preponderance of evidence did not support higher ratings for pain or instability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that it was aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and additional evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder will be reviewed with consideration of all applicable laws and regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Alegent Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska on April 19, 2007 is denied as the criteria for emergency treatment were not met.

The Veteran's claims for initial higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent before November 17, 2008, and an initial rating higher than 20 percent from November 17, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities are not service-connected as they are considered to be related to her service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease and lumbar strain, finding no evidence of in-service injury or chronic disability that could be linked to his current conditions.

The Veteran's arthritis of the knees is related to his period of active service and has been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and left knee disabilities are causally related to service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is found to have originated during his period of active military service. However, there is no current evidence of bilateral hip strain or bilateral tibial shaft stress reaction (including bilateral knee stress reaction).

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection. The rating for his right wrist disability was also confirmed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability did not develop during service and is unrelated to his active duty. As such, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, finding that it was aggravated by the Veteran's service connected disabilities. The bilateral knee disability and TDIU claims are remanded due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome was granted, effective July 24, 1980. The earlier date of receipt of the claim is considered as the effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for a left leg disorder, right knee disorder, benign osteoma of the left femur, and residuals of a tibial fracture of the right knee. The claim of service connection for a skin disorder is reopened based on new evidence indicating the Veteran does have a chronic skin disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability warrants a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability and scars are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.