Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling medical examinations to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed knee disorders and headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including degenerative joint disease and ACL deficiency, has been rated at 30 percent since August 1, 2008. The rating is for residual pain following total knee replacement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted, but the claims for bilateral knee disorder and residuals of a low back injury are pending. The status of other issues is unknown.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence, including private medical records. The issue remains about entitlement to an increased disability rating for his service-connected right knee injury residuals.

The Board has determined that an additional medical examination is needed to determine the etiology of any bilateral knee conditions and whether they were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for GERD was denied as there is no current evidence of a gastrointestinal disorder related to service. The claims for increased ratings and left knee disability secondary to right knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left knee disability, which may be related to service. The case will then be readjudicated.

The Veteran's right knee was rated at 20 percent for meniscal tear, effective from January 26, 2008. The left knee remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and reopening of claims were dismissed as untimely filed.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left knee degenerative changes and right knee sprain disabilities, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure in VA's duty to assist, specifically requesting treatment records from Dr. Smith.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a left knee injury related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities have been denied. The left knee and right knee conditions are not currently manifested by the severity of disability that would warrant higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5260. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining relevant treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.