Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim on appeal can be adjudicated. The Veteran should be provided with a new VA examination to evaluate his back, bilateral knee and left ankle disorders.

The Veteran's right knee replacement resulted in a rating of 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural defects, and he has been requested for a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left knee and a muscle disorder of the left leg, as well as his claim for an increased rating for residuals of left tibia fracture, were all denied by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee chondromalacia, as well as his claims for a bilateral ankle disability, hypertension, low back disability, and hip disability were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling for either knee condition or for any other claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left knee arthritis have been denied. However, the Veteran was granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for osteopenia of the right knee and left knee disorder have been denied. The Veteran is also seeking TDIU, but this issue has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot and right knee disorders were denied as there is no objective medical evidence showing that the conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim. The Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service treatment. Service connection for knee, hip, and low back disabilities are also granted as secondary to the bilateral foot disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder was not incurred in service and is not secondary to his left knee condition. Therefore, service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee was denied.

The Veteran's tinea pigmentosa and residual scar due to removal of a cyst from the left knee have been rated appropriately with an initial compensable rating for tinea pigmentosa and a 10 percent rating for the residual scar.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is attributable to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for chronic testicular pain and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for forefoot amputation of the right foot was denied. His TDIU claim is pending and will be readjudicated after a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, bilateral foot disability, edema of ankles, knees and hands, and dental condition are not due to or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claims were denied as secondary service connection is not warranted.

The Veteran's current bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated during service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition and left ankle condition were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for lumbar strain myositis but not higher. His claim for an increased rating for his right knee status post meniscal repair and anterior cruciate ligament rupture, with residual pain was denied. Service connection for hepatitis C was also denied. He was denied a compensable rating for bilateral tinnitus and for bilateral, moderate, sensorineural hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle condition and right shoulder disability were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for status post repair of rotator cuff and labral tear and impingement syndrome of the right shoulder but not higher. His claim for hepatitis C was also denied. He was denied a compensable rating for bilateral tinnitus and for bilateral, moderate, sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was withdrawn. The claims for increased ratings for left knee disabilities and service connection for various nerve disorders were dismissed due to lack of evidence or legal merit.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been manifested by complaints of pain and functional impairment, but does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under VA's Rating Schedule. The Board denied his claim as there is no evidence of instability or arthritis that would warrant a higher rating.