Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected gastrointestinal and left knee disabilities were denied by the RO. The Veteran's GERD with Barrett's esophagus, duodenitis, and hiatal hernia was rated at 30 percent effective January 1996, while his residuals of gunshot wound to the left leg involving Muscle Group XI were rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if this condition was incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected lumbar strain warrants a 20 percent disability rating, effective from the date of his claim. The left knee disability is secondary to the lumbar strain and was not granted as service connected.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at a combined rating of 60 percent, which is the maximum available under all applicable diagnostic codes. The claim for an extraschedular evaluation and TDIU remains in appellate status.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the left knee. The right knee issue remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including scarlet fever residuals and heart disease, are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee disability being incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, a right hip disorder, and a low back disorder that are related to the Veteran's service-connected left hip disorder. The initial evaluation of 10 percent is maintained.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of this claim due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for clarification on the nature and etiology of the claimed disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease of the right knee, is due to aggravation of his preexisting injury incurred during a squadron softball game while in service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee with arthroscopy is being remanded due to a need for additional examination and evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension is unrelated to his active duty service and denied service connection for this condition. The Board also found that the Veteran's back injury residuals, left knee chondromalacia patella, and right knee chondromalacia patella are not entitled to increased disability ratings as they do not meet the criteria established by VA regulations.

The Board has ordered the case remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and clarification of diagnoses.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis of the left knee was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee, shoulder, and degenerative arthritis disorders are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show continuity of symptomatology or a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, manifested by range of motion from zero to 90 degrees and no joint instability, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, was neither incurred in nor aggravated by active duty service.