Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities were denied. The claim to reopen a previously denied bilateral hip disability was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service or any exposure to ionizing radiation. As such, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including as secondary to a right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations and obtaining worker's compensation records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his left above-the-knee amputation was granted, with a rating of 60 percent effective from September 1, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of service connection based on direct evidence.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development and readjudication in compliance with directives specified by the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for right knee arthritis effective February 24, 1999. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was denied as the evidence did not show that his arthritis existed in the one year prior to filing his claim for increase.

The Veteran's right knee disability does not result in flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees, even with consideration of pain. The Board finds no other potentially applicable diagnostic codes that provide for an increased evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since November 1, 1994. Since August 13, 2008, the disability is now rated at 20 percent due to moderate impairment of the tibia and fibula.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disorder, including osteoarthritis. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current left knee condition present, as well as whether his pre-existing left knee disorder was aggravated during his ACDUTRA service in April 2003.

The Veteran's right knee instability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 6, 2008. From October 6, 2008, the rating increased to 30 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted effective January 18, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for increased evaluations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee, and skin disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral shoulder arthritis, degenerative joint disease/chronic low back pain, bilateral hand arthritis, right little finger disability, and bilateral knee disability have all been denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions are related to active military service or events therein.,There is no credible evidence showing current disabilities for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left knee arthralgia and perforated ear drum have been denied as they are not in excess of the assigned noncompensable ratings.