Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected heart disorder and left knee dislocation have been granted, but the ratings for both conditions are at their maximum levels.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with a separate rating for the scar and a separate rating for degenerative arthritis. The Board has determined that these ratings are appropriate.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's left knee disability is manifested by compensable limitation of motion, and therefore, his claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including inpatient records from Fort Ord and VA Medical Center records. The Veteran will also undergo a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his right little toe disability and left knee Baker's cyst.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred during service and are not otherwise related to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine, right hip, left knee patellofemoral syndrome and chondromalacia, and status post right knee arthroscopy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, including degenerative changes and status post partial left knee replacement, is causally related to injuries sustained in service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and potential conflicts in regulations regarding eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied, and his claim for service connection for a left knee disorder to include as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion or other impairment that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case to schedule a VA audiometric examination for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, and to review additional evidence received at the Board.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorders were not incurred in or are otherwise the result of his active service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a diagnosis of PTSD, and that the Veteran's knee conditions did not meet the criteria for compensable ratings.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The lumbar spine condition was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a diagnosed left patello-femoral syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current disability is as likely as not related to his military service. The claim for stomach disability remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include knee and ankle conditions, do not meet the percentage rating standards for TDIU. However, the Board found that all forms of employment were not precluded solely due to these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left knee disorder, which has been rated as 10 percent disabling. The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development and examination.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical spine and knee disabilities. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the likely etiology of these conditions, as well as their relationship to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral ankle disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.