Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of his tinnitus and left knee condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee, left shoulder, and neck disorders are not related to her military service. The VA examiner concluded these conditions are more likely due to a civilian motor vehicle accident in 2001.

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is not related to service and cannot be presumed due to a disease or injury incurred in service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that her current bilateral knee disability was caused by or aggravated by her service-connected shin splints.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has been rated at 30 percent since June 3, 1998. The RO denied a higher rating for the disability.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, but the VA has determined that a higher rating is warranted based on additional symptoms not previously considered.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation, or any higher evaluations, for postoperative residuals of a right knee meniscectomy prior to February 14, 1976 and from February 14, 1976 onwards. For arthritis of the right knee with limitation of extension, the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent. The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating was found to be sufficient to warrant a total rating based on individual unemployability as of October 4, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle, knee, low back strain and left sacroiliac joint strain disabilities have been granted initial disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and fractured nose disabilities are service-connected as their onset is believed to have occurred during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee chondromalacia have been rated at 10 percent each, but the medical evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no significant limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability, is rated at 30 percent since October 1, 2005. The rating reflects the current level of impairment due to arthritis and limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disabilities as the evidence clearly and unmistakably established that the appellant underwent pre-existing surgeries prior to service, and there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder and bilateral knee disorders are not related to his active duty service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder and left ankle disabilities are service-connected. His right knee disability is not service-connected.

The Board finds that the service-connected arthritis of the knees and anatomical loss of the right eye contributed to the Veteran's fall, which resulted in his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing records from the Social Security Administration and the Detroit VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of any right and/or left knee conditions found to be present. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee conditions are inextricably intertwined with the issue of lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus, so they must also be addressed.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be due to in-service noise exposure and service connection is granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoid disorder, left knee disorder, and back disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted service connection, and the claim to reopen his GERD service connection is also granted. The Board finds that new evidence submitted since the last final decision supports reopening of the GERD claim.