Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected back injury with limitation of motion warrants a 10 percent disability rating, but not higher. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee injury with DJD does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's left knee synovitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective from the date of claim. The rating reflects limitation of motion and painful motion without arthritis or instability.

The Veteran's left knee condition, associated with chondromalacia of the right knee and mild degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Veteran also has instability of the left knee which warrants a separate 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that there is a need to verify the Veteran's periods of active duty, inactive duty training, and service treatment records. The Veteran should be contacted for further information regarding his claimed conditions during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records support his claims of gunshot wound and bayonet injury to the left leg and hand during active duty in Vietnam. The scars from these injuries are considered current disabilities, and there is medical evidence linking them to service. Therefore, service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left leg and residuals of a bayonet wound to the left hand has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with a rating of 10 percent assigned for the period prior to September 20, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee contusion and arthritis, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to her active duty service in July 1988.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his knee disabilities and service connection for aortic stenosis have been remanded due to the need for additional records and proper notice.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee strain and arthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may arthritis be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a dental disorder, left knee condition, right knee condition, and low back disorder. The evidence submitted since the June 2003 decision is not new and material.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection have been addressed. The Board has granted the Veteran a 100 percent rating for PTSD, as well as an increase in his evaluation for diabetes mellitus with mild renal insufficiency, hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, and impotence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable ratings for bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral chondromalacia of the knee, and hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are denied. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities in any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining additional evidence from SSA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by pain and limited flexion, warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide proper notice for the right knee disorder claim. The left knee disorder may be related to service, but further examination is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities have been denied as there is no current medical evidence of chronic conditions on examination.