Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and bilateral hand disorders are not service-connected, as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under direct service connection provisions.

The Board found no CUE in the prior rating decisions denying a TDIU, as there was insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees. The underlying issue of service connection is addressed in a separate REMAND.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are not service-connected. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his knee disability and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and left knee arthritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and a left knee disorder due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right knee degenerative joint disease was denied, and his secondary service connection claim for bilateral foot conditions is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder and diabetes mellitus, finding that the appellant's current conditions are aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for tinnitus, did not find new and material evidence to reopen his claim of left ear hearing loss, but found service connection established for a low back disorder. The other claims were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and hypertension were denied in August 1991. The Board has reopened the claim for sinusitis but denied it on the merits.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions were denied as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to consider new evidence, including his recent complaints of patella dislocation and use of a wheelchair. The service connection claim will be reconsidered based on the current medical findings.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left acromioclavicular (AC) joint due to its presumptive nature under VA regulations. The claims for other conditions are remanded as additional evidence is needed.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right knee and thigh disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for tinnitus, and there was no medical evidence linking the current right knee and thigh conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The maximum schedular rating has already been assigned for the left hand disability, and no other issues meet the criteria for higher initial ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, left hip condition, left knee condition, and left ankle condition as they are not related to his active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by pain, swelling, stiffness and limited range of motion, was rated at 20 percent effective from May 8, 2006 to January 10, 2007.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 9, 2006 and May 22, 2006 for service connection of cold injury residuals of the feet and a right knee disability, respectively. The left knee disability claim is dismissed as it is not legally precluded by final decisions.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected left great toe disability and his current lumbar spine, hip, and knee disorders. The case will be remanded for further development.