Knee Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for a right shoulder condition, right knee disorder, and right ankle disorder due to the lack of evidence of current disabilities. The Veteran's claims for hernia condition and hearing loss are pending as additional development is required.,Service records indicate possible onset of an umbilical hernia during service, but further medical examination is needed to confirm this potential relationship.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent from February 14, 2002, to August 26, 2003. A separate evaluation of 20 percent for severe meniscal degeneration and effusion in the left knee joint associated with an impaired meniscus is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the relationship between his claimed conditions and military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is characterized by arthritis and pain, but he has full range of motion. His diabetes was present within one year of his discharge from service and may be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected status post fracture of the left tibia and fibula with left knee impairment is not manifested by a marked knee disability, thus he is not entitled to an evaluation higher than 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's increased rating claims for his service-connected right knee disabilities, finding that a rating in excess of 20 percent was not warranted prior to April 13, 2000 and that from April 13, 2000, a rating in excess of 10 percent was not warranted.

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 10 percent, and his left biceps tendonitis prior to May 27, 2004 was also rated at 10 percent. From May 1, 2007 onwards, the Veteran's post-arthroplasty left biceps tendonitis is rated at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee condition and left shoulder dislocation. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeal, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury and that any current condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee was granted, and he is now rated at 10 percent. His claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and seeking treatment records from Dr. David E. Couk.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including verification of his duty status during the alleged in-service injuries and obtaining VA treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, hearing loss, and PTSD. The decision found no current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for instability of the right knee and right knee arthritis. The Veteran appealed this decision to the Court, but died before a final decision could be made by the Court.

For the entire appeal period beginning up to one year prior to August 30, 2004, the Veteran's left knee disorder did not meet or approximate criteria for a rating above the 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease, including as due to service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease, is rated at 10 percent since June 13, 2001. The Veteran's left knee disorder has been granted but no specific rating or effective date was provided.