Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability has been manifested by limited flexion and extension, but not to a degree that warrants an increased rating. The current 10 percent disability rating is maintained.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right knee disability, including a tear of the medial meniscus and osteoarthritis, was incurred during active service. The claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and bilateral knee disability are not related to his active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of both knees, was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not related to any incident of such service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his right knee conditions have been denied. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating prior to January 30, 2007 and a 20 percent rating as of that date.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for arthritis of the right knee from April 1, 2001 forward is denied as his combined disability rating already exceeds the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reopening of a claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot and knee disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of chronic manifestations during service or for many years thereafter. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee with limitation of flexion, left knee with limitation of flexion, and right knee with limitation of extension were denied.,An effective date prior to April 14, 2005 was granted for the grant of service connection for instability of the right knee.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and reduction of ratings have been withdrawn. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, post-replacement surgery, is currently rated at 30 percent and the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's knee and shoulder disabilities have been service-connected, but the assigned initial ratings of 10 percent are not considered adequate for each condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for hemorrhoids, are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Board will schedule a VA examination to determine if any current diagnoses of knee conditions or hemorrhoids are related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, left knee injury, back surgery and left leg pain. The claim was reopened due to new evidence suggesting that hypertension may have started during service, but it is not as likely as not that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for a low back disability and remanded his claims for an increased rating for a left knee disability and service connection for PTSD. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder, knee, and ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active service or as a result of a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for headaches, left knee, and back disorders. The claim for right thigh disorder was not addressed as it had already been denied in August 1995.