Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative changes, is causally related to an injury suffered either on active duty for training or inactive duty training in June 1991. As such, the Board finds that service connection is warranted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to determine if this condition is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, with the resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, service connection for bilateral knee disability (right and left) is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability pre-existed his entry into Reserve service and whether it increased in severity during service. The Veteran will receive an SSOC after this additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, characterized by limited range of motion and pain, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected ligamentous instability of the left knee, status post total knee arthroplasty, is rated at 30 percent since November 1, 2004. The criteria for a 60 percent rating are met during this period. Prior to July 24, 2003, the Veteran's service-connected ligamentous instability of the left knee was evaluated as 20 percent disabling due to moderate instability and no ankylosis or impairment of the tibia or fibula. Since July 24, 2003, his disability is rated at 30 percent due to chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to failure to appear for VA examinations and for obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right leg radiculopathy, bilateral knee disorders, bilateral ankle disorders, and upper back disorder are granted. The Veteran currently has a diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy with respect to his complaints of right leg pain, which is related to active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left leg mass and remanded the issues of initial compensable ratings for a left knee and leg disability, and a left inguinal hernia. The Veteran is now entitled to compensation for his overlapping symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, right knee strain, and skin lesions are related to his service. The decision is granted for all issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no competent evidence supporting the presence of any claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for post-traumatic arthrosis/post-traumatic arthritis of the left knee was denied. The current rating of 20 percent is considered appropriate based on the level of disability as described by the VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine the current nature and etiology of his left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extraschedular evaluation for his service-connected left knee arthritis, finding that the available schedular evaluations adequately described his disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for another VA examination to assess her employability due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder is unrelated to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation from December 31, 2009, forward.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, rhinitis, and sinus disorder with headaches. Service connection is denied for deflection of the nasal septum and residuals of nose surgery (septectomy).

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability did not begin in service, was not caused by any incident of service, and was not caused by or permanently worsened by his service-connected left knee disability.