Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not service connected, as there was no evidence of a direct connection to his military service and the medical opinion stated it is less likely than not secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for synovitis of the right knee and lumbar spondylosis, claimed as low back injury were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Veteran's right knee replacement resulted in a current rating of 30 percent, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5055. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent and his left knee replacement is effective September 11, 2007. The Veteran was granted service connection for the left knee replacement but denied a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities not preventing him from securing or following all substantially gainful occupations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee, femur fracture, and ankle fractures are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disability, as the provided evidence does not relate to an unsubstantiated fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for emergency services at Bridgton Hospital on December 15, 2007 are granted as the treatment was necessary due to an emergency and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as his claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability and determine whether he has current hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities. The examiner must also provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a sinus disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for headaches and right ankle disorders.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized by callosities, pes planus, and hammer toes, is currently rated at 30 percent. The maximum schedular rating for this condition has been assigned. The Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder is currently rated at 10 percent.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current back disability and whether it was incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's left knee and right knee disabilities are also under review.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities are being remanded for further development to determine the nature of his service connection.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for a left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and notification.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis, left knee was granted. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a low back disability was also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids, a higher disability rating for patellar tendonitis of the right knee, and a 10 percent rating based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities prior to August 6, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with Osgood Schlatter syndrome and left shoulder sprain were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, including arthritis and a complex tear of the medial and lateral meniscus, is more likely than not due to in-service trauma. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral knee disorders were denied by the Board, with the exception that he was granted a separate 20 percent evaluation for each knee prior to September 15, 1999.