Knee Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and left knee disability, finding no evidence of a current disability in service or within the presumptive period subsequent to discharge from service.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted based on limitation of extension to 45 degrees and full range of motion for flexion.

The Board has ordered the appellant to provide service treatment records from his National Guard service period, specifically during his active duty for training (ADT) in April-August 1977. The claim is being remanded due to the need to obtain these records and determine if any current left knee disability is related to this ADT period.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 25, 2002 and on and after December 1, 2002.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests to reopen her claims for service connection for joint pain of the knees and back, both claimed as due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability. The evidence submitted since the last denial does not meet the criteria for reopening the claims.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee or stomach disorder during the Veteran's military service, and concluded that any current conditions are not related to his service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by degenerative arthritis and instability, is currently rated at 20 percent under the criteria for dislocation of the right knee with residual instability. The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left knee disability has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating due to their combined disability rating of 40 percent, which does not exceed the percentage requirements set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, his right knee and other service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed gynecological disorder, neuroglycopenia/reactive hypoglycemia, low back disability, left knee disability, and shoulder disabilities are not related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's low back strain, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral hip arthritis are all found to be related to service. The lung disorder is not established.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and TDIU were denied. The claim to reopen a left knee disorder was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, left ankle disability, tinnitus, or right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's chondromalacia of the patella and internal derangement of the left knee is currently rated at 30 percent, based on limitation of flexion and extension. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and to provide a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability contributed to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as there is no evidence of its occurrence during service or due to a service-connected disability. The issue of entitlement to special home adaptation grant has also been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right knee disability are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board finds that the recoupment of separation pay by withholding VA compensation benefits was proper based on the law as written.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including medical examinations and opinions regarding his bilateral shoulder disabilities, left knee disability, leg shortening, and use of crutches.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of her claims.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the veteran.