Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability is service-connected, while her left knee and wrist disabilities are not.,The Veteran's right wrist disability is service-connected, but her left wrist disability is not.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, right ankle, and right hip disabilities were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee retropatellar pain syndrome and lumbar strain are rated at 20 percent each, with no higher ratings granted. The Veteran is not entitled to additional disability ratings under the criteria for other related conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral radiculopathy, claimed as a disorder of the knees, legs and hips, is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbosacral strain disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability was granted, with a 30% disability rating effective from August 1, 2009. The issue of reopening the right knee disability claim is also addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and he is granted service connection for degenerative joint disease with osteoarthritis and meniscal tear of the left knee. The increased rating claim for the right knee was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee injury and dismissed the appeal regarding bilateral heel spurs.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is at least as likely as not caused by an in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is currently rated at 10 percent. The claim for higher initial ratings remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 17, 1997 for the grant of service connection for hypertension is denied. The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent since December 17, 1997 and no higher. The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the right knee with scarring has been rated at 20 percent from July 23, 1998 to August 23, 2007 and at 30 percent since August 24, 2007.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder diagnosed as schizophrenia and a left knee disorder, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ankle sprains incurred in service are service-connected, but his right knee and low back disorders are not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is currently rated at 60 percent due to severe pain and weakness. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been remanded.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right knee disorder. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and determining whether the presumption of soundness can be rebutted.

The Veteran's lumbar strain/spasm has been granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective March 2, 2007. The right carpal tunnel syndrome of the hand was also granted a higher initial disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have been aggravated by his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for a left wrist disability or right knee disability, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis were denied. The reduction in the rating for the thoracolumbar spine disability from 40 percent to 10 percent was found to be improper.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is etiologically related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The low back disability was not incurred in service, and thus service connection is denied. The right knee disability is also not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disorder.