Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee and hip conditions, as well as his claims for service connection for numbness of the legs, hands and arms, migraines, memory loss, impaired vision, scalp laceration, and South Pacific fungus of the hands. The appeal was reopened on new evidence but no rating or effective date is assigned.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of the requested benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on a need for regular aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder, but denied the remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for left knee, left shoulder, back, and hand disorders.

The Board granted service connection for keloid scars of the left arm and assigned a 10 percent rating effective April 28, 2008. The other issues were not addressed as they are no longer on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and a back strain condition, finding that there was no current disability related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of both knees is service-connected, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received. However, the Board denied the underlying claim as there is no competent medical opinion linking the current left knee disorder to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left knee disorder has been withdrawn. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to July 3, 2007, is denied as the evidence does not support a higher disability rating. The claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss from July 3, 2007, is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to incomplete information and the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for VCAA notice regarding applicable diagnostic criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of service connection were denied. The right knee disability was rated at the maximum available under Diagnostic Codes, while the initial denials for elbow and low back disabilities remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for a separate initial disability rating for service-connected residuals of a post-operative left knee injury, based on instability, from February 1, 2005, is denied due to the Veteran failing to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right or left knee disorder and that any such disorders are not related to service. The VA examinations indicate that the Veteran's complaints of pain in his knees during service were likely due to normal wear and tear, and there is no evidence of arthritis or other significant changes in either knee.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of right knee injury are rated at 50 percent, effective from September 19, 2005. The claim for hypertension is pending as the evidence does not establish a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, her claim for a temporary total rating based on hospitalization is denied as she does not have basic eligibility for that benefit.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a right knee disability, to include as secondary to a left knee disability, have been reopened. However, the new evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.