Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee strain with degenerative changes and chondromalacia is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms. The Veteran's right knee instability has not been found to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability is manifested by limitation of flexion, but not to less than 45 degrees. The disability does not result in locking, lateral instability, or recurrent subluxations. Therefore, the claim for a higher rating for the left knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee disabilities, COPD, adenomyosis, pes planus, neck disability, and psychiatric disorder (PTSD), were denied as there is no current diagnosis of any of these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability was previously rated at 30 percent prior to May 19, 2009. As of that date, the VA determined a 60 percent rating is warranted due to chronic severely painful motion and other symptoms.

The Board found no relationship between the Veteran's service and his current left hip and knee disabilities, thus denying both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disorder and torn medial meniscus, right knee, synovitis, chondrolysis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, and his hemorrhoids are assigned a noncompensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee and back disabilities were denied, but he was granted a 10% rating for thoracolumbar strain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records and conduct further examinations related to his service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for atopic dermatitis was denied. The RO increased the disability rating from 10% to 30%, effective April 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the nature and etiology of any knee disability is related to service. The appellant's claim remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing to be scheduled at the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania VARO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee chondromalacia patella does not warrant a higher initial evaluation from noncompensable to 10% since August 1, 2006. The evidence shows no limitation of motion or arthritis in the knee joint.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is service-connected, but her right knee disability was not aggravated by military service and therefore is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling new VA examinations and obtaining his VA medical records from November 2009 to the present.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee instability and degenerative arthritis are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the claims for increased ratings have been denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current left knee disability or frostbite residuals of the hands and feet, and thus denied service connection for these conditions. The Veteran's statements during his hearing indicated he did not remember any specific injury to his left knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's muscle pain, diagnosed as fibromyalgia, and cardiovascular disorder are not related to her active duty service or a service-connected disability. The Board denied the claims for bilateral knee and foot disorders due to lack of evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to his active service. The examiner opined that the current right knee disorder is less likely than not caused by or related to in-service injuries.