Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic right knee disorder or hearing loss of the right ear during service, and post-service medical records do not show these conditions. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected post traumatic deformity of the left lateral tibial plateau with knee pain is currently evaluated at 30 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted prior to May 18, 2009 and as of and following May 18, 2009.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his non-service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for her right knee and left ankle disabilities have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the extent of any current disabilities and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran has submitted new and material evidence to reopen his claim of service connection for a right knee disability. However, the evidence does not establish current disability or link it to service.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 30 percent from May 1, 2008 to the present. The Board found that his claim for higher ratings as of July 1, 2006 and May 1, 2008 were not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for increased ratings were not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected left knee disability. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals, left knee injury with chondromalacia, remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee chondromalacia was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 30, 2008 and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent from August 1, 2008 to January 27, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability, dry eyes with history of inner canthus papilloma, and hypertension have been denied. The initial rating assigned for each condition is 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, degenerative changes of the right knee as residuals of a knee injury, and skin disorders, to include cancer were denied. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder secondary to knee disorders and benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for an additional gastrointestinal disability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee with subsequent total knee replacement, finding that it was effectively granted in a March 1994 decision. The issue of an increased rating for chondromalacia of the left knee remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to her service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's abdominal surgeries did not result in additional disability due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA. Therefore, the claim for compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, hallux rigidus (bilateral), right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations to assess the Veteran's right knee disorder and service-connected nerve entrapment and inguinal hernia repair.

The Veteran's left knee arthrotomy has not manifested by locking, ankylosis, recurrent subluxation, lateral instability, impairment of the tibia and fibula or genu recurvatum; flexion of the left knee has been limited to 90 degrees and extension has always been to zero degrees.,The Veteran's right knee meniscectomy has not manifested by locking, ankylosis, recurrent subluxation, lateral instability, impairment of the tibia and fibula or genu recurvatum; flexion of the right knee has been limited to 50 degrees and extension has always been to zero degrees.,The Veteran's left ankle disability has not manifested by ankylosis, malunion of the os calcis or astragulus, astragalectomy or marked limitation of motion.,The Veteran's left thumb disability has never manifested by ankylosis or inability to oppose the thumb.,The Veteran's tinea versicolor does not affect the head, face or neck or involve scarring; it has manifested by hyperpigmented lesions that do not affect at least 20 percent of the entire body or exposed areas, and has never required systemic therapy.