Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right and left ankle degenerative joint diseases are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran's right and left knee degenerative joint diseases are also currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. Higher evaluations are not warranted for any of the conditions.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence indicating a causal relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his military service, except for tinnitus. Therefore, service connection was denied for all other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left knee disability, rated at 10 percent, does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation as there is no evidence of moderate subluxation or lateral instability, flexion limited to 30 degrees, extension limited to 15 degrees, or combination of laxity and limitation of motion due to pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the claimed conditions did not manifest during active service or within one year of service, and are not shown to have developed as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders and whether they are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination based on the Veteran's recent testimony about worsening symptoms of his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and right knee disability.

The VA has determined that the appellant's current low back, left knee, and right knee disorders are not service-connected as they are more likely due to natural aging processes rather than injuries sustained during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for his degenerative joint disease of the right hip and right knee, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee disorder and numbness of the hands and fingers were not incurred or aggravated during active duty service, may not be presumed to have been so incurred, and were not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her knee disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable rating criteria.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for any of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders. The Veteran's claims are denied.

The Veteran's temporary total rating for convalescence due to right knee surgery was granted until May 31, 2005. The Board found that the evidence did not support an extension of this rating beyond May 31, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various orthopedic conditions were denied. The initial rating decisions assigned non-compensable evaluations, and later adjustments did not result in a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted, and the lung disability reopening claim is granted. Claims under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has chronic service-connected disabilities of the left ankle and right knee.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for the Veteran to undergo examinations to assess his PTSD and right knee disability.