Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disorder and left knee disorder were granted, with a rating of 60 percent for the back. The claim for TDIU prior to August 1, 2002 was also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral knee condition, to include arthritis, has been granted service connection. The claim for an increased rating for gout prior to February 27, 2008 is granted and the current rating of 60% is maintained from that date.

The Veteran's left and right knee disorders are found to be related to service, but his claimed left upper leg disorder is not.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee strain is not related to his service or any service-connected conditions, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left knee impairment does not warrant a compensable rating for residuals of left knee strain with chondromalacia or an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of motion due to pain. The evidence shows no significant instability, subluxation, or other functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee are being remanded to allow for a VA examination and further development.

The Veteran's claim for payment of or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred as a result of postoperative care for a left total knee replacement during the period from March 12, 2007 to May 5, 2007 is being remanded due to failure to comply with previous Board directives.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA medical records from the Dallas VAMC.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disabilities, including a cervical spine injury, right and left knee disabilities, thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities, a psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder), and a heart condition. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips and knees have been denied as there is no evidence showing that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves the initial ratings for his service-connected right knee and bilateral foot disabilities. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records, as well as to schedule VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the right knee disorder claim, but had been received to reopen the left knee disorder claim. Service connection was not granted for tinnitus or degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. Increased disability ratings were also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left hip disabilities, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for kyphosis due to congenital Scheuermann's disease.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 27, 2004 and granted an effective date of December 20, 1993 for service connection. The Veteran is entitled to a higher rating than 20 percent for his right knee disability prior to that date. For the period from June 1, 2005 onwards, he is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected right thigh contusion with arthritis of the knee and traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine have been rated, but the current ratings are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of TDIU remains pending as it was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and right shoulder disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of an alleged motor vehicle accident during service.