Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee injury residuals was denied by the Board. The appeal is based on the current level of disability, which includes X-ray evidence of arthritis without limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has determined that additional development of the medical record is required due to delays in obtaining necessary treatment records and a proper examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for his right knee disorder, claimed as secondary to his left knee degenerative arthritis, will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for residuals of a left knee injury and stretch injury of the right radial nerve since March 9, 2007, and March 12, 2007, respectively, were denied. The criteria for these conditions did not meet the requirements for higher evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the bilateral knees with osteoarthritis, finding that her preexisting knee disorder clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and did not permanently worsen or increase in severity during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his service connection claims for CFS and IBS, as well as his service connection claim for a right knee condition. The effective date of these decisions is not specified.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder, including as secondary to service-connected right knee disability. The claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia, right knee, prior to April 22, 2008, and from April 22, 2008, is also granted.

The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disability related to service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The sinusitis issue was remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relation to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a tear of the medial meniscus of the right knee and residuals of a right ankle fracture and capsulitis have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left total knee replacement, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess her ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment given her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability related to active military service for any of the claimed conditions. Service connection was denied for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hypertension, sinusitis, and laryngitis.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issues related to hypertension, hepatitis C with fibrosis, and arthritis of the left knee. The Board did not have jurisdiction to review these issues.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left knee disability were denied. The Board found no current evidence of these conditions, thus denying the claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee DJD was denied as the evidence did not show that he had limitation of flexion or extension to a degree warranting a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the bilateral knees and hips was denied as there is no evidence showing a chronic disability related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied.,An effective date of April 14, 2005 is granted for the grant of service connection for instability of the right knee. The previous effective date of December 11, 2000 remains unchanged for osteoarthritis of the right knee with limitation of flexion and extension.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a C&P examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and whether he has arthritis in his shoulders and knees.