Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues was granted, with the exception of right knee disability which was withdrawn by the Veteran. The Board found that the Veteran has PTSD and tinnitus due to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of left knee arthritis as secondary to a service-connected right knee disorder. The Board finds that the Veteran's current left knee arthritis is proximately due to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected knee and spine disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his cause of death, which was due to ischemic heart disease. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that any service-connected disability caused or contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, right and left knee disabilities, and a left shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's reported stressor was found not to have occurred, her current knee and shoulder disabilities were not linked to service, and her immersion syndrome in service is considered the earliest manifestation.

The Board has denied service connection for right wrist, right knee and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of competent evidence showing current disability or in-service injury. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are also pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, considering his educational and occupational background.

The Veteran's cervical spine disc disease with right shoulder pain and right forearm paresthesia is rated at 20 percent prior to June 23, 2004. Effective from June 23, 2004, the Veteran is rated at 20 percent for the orthopedic manifestations of cervical spine disc disease and 10 percent for the neurologic manifestations. The Veteran's degenerative joint diseases are each rated at 10 percent. Bilateral hearing loss is not compensable. Retinal detachments have no associated rating.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it is a result of noise exposure during his active duty as a helicopter pilot. The back disorder and gout are also service-connected, with the latter being linked to active duty service. The initial rating for ingrown toenail remains noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete information and potential errors in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA and non-VA medical records regarding the Veteran's treatment.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been manifested by intermittent pain, occasional episodes of giving way and locking, full extension, flexion limited to no more than 120 degrees with pain, and some instability. The Board finds that the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent are not met.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle fracture, right knee chondromalacia, and left knee chondromalacia were denied as the evidence did not show more than moderate limitation of motion or additional functional loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stomach disability, to include acid stomach reflux, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations, as well as VCAA notification regarding increased rating claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is of service origin and granted service connection.