Knee Board decisions

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the current left knee condition to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and asthma/lung disorder to the RO for further development. The claim of service connection for depression is also remanded.

The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of a left leg injury sustained in an aircraft accident during military service. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the current status and origin of his claimed disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the extent that they preclude her from performing the duties of her previously rehabilitated occupation, and she does not meet the criteria for additional vocational rehabilitation training.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and entitlement to a TDIU rating, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected degenerative joint disease, right knee and scar, right knee.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee injury is currently rated at 10 percent, the highest possible under Diagnostic Code 5259. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on additional limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has ordered additional development of the record to determine if the Veteran's back and right knee disabilities are related to service, including obtaining any missing service treatment records from November 1966. The case will be returned for further consideration.

The Board denied an increased rating for the service-connected left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's condition is currently manifested by favorable ankylosis in full extension with no instability or painful scar. The claim was remanded due to a recommendation from VA General Counsel attorneys to consider additional ratings for instability under diagnostic code 5257.

The Veteran's residuals of a left knee injury manifest in pain, swelling, some limitation of range of motion and radiographic findings of degenerative changes. There is no objective evidence of instability. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee synovitis have not been met.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities, finding that these conditions do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability with shoulder blade pain and shakiness of knees, and urinary/kidney stone disability are all denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private clinical records, scheduling a VA medical examination, and clarifying the effective dates of the right knee ratings.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities are related to her in-service injuries resulting from a horse accident, and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bone disease, to include degenerative joint disease of the right acromioclavicular joint, sternum, and knees have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder that is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder.,The Board has also granted compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left knee and atrophy of the quadriceps and buttocks disorders, both related to VA right knee surgery in December 1979.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and he was denied TDIU due to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability was denied an increased rating, and his left knee and peroneal nerve neuropathy disabilities were also denied.

The Board has determined that a hearing must be scheduled for the Veteran at his current address in California, as he is no longer residing in Tennessee.