Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed skin disorder, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, cervical disorder, low back disorder, head disorder, and right hand disorder were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome were denied as his disabilities did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as chondrocalcinosis and post-operative status-post open medial meniscectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Veteran is granted a separate rating of 10 percent for his slight instability.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any current right knee disability is related to service, including the Veteran's reports of injuries during his first period of service and post-service work-related injury.

The Veteran's claims for a combined rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee disability and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The RO must arrange for an orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected left knee disability, including functional impairment, and determine if it renders her unemployable.

The VA denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee chondromalacia patella with synovitis, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and anal fistula and abscess have been denied as there is no evidence of a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right knee and hip disabilities, finding that the current evaluations of 10 percent were appropriate based on the evidence showing arthritis with limited motion but no instability or subluxation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and residuals of a fracture of the left femur, as well as his claim for TDIU, were denied by the Board.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for left knee disability, right knee disability, and cervical spine disability. However, the appellant's preexisting conditions were not aggravated during active service or are otherwise related to her military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee condition is related to his military service, resolving all doubts in favor of the claim and granting service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that these conditions preexisted service and did not increase in severity therein.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and low back disabilities were denied. The left knee disability was rated at 10 percent, while the low back disability received a noncompensable rating prior to October 7, 2008, but was later granted a 10 percent evaluation effective from that date.

The Veteran's service connection claim for gunshot shrapnel wounds of both knees is granted, as the Board finds that his current knee disabilities are at least as likely related to injuries sustained during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while rated at a combined evaluation of 70 percent, do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining pertinent records from SSA.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his right knee disability, right hip disability, and lumbar strain have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by slight instability and degenerative changes, does not meet the criteria for a combined rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations prior to June 22, 2007 was denied as there is no objective evidence of left knee instability. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent on and after August 1, 2008 was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a left wrist fracture are secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.