Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted the initial evaluations of 10 percent for the right and left knee subluxation disabilities, effective from the date service connection was granted. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VCAA notice.

The Board denied service connection for residuals, puncture wound of the right foot, left ankle sprain, and right knee disorder as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his claim for a higher rating is denied. His respiratory disorder was not incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee conditions were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of right knee laxity with patellar tendonitis is denied as there was no prior claim filed before July 30, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability, claimed as asthma, was incurred during service. The Board also found that the Veteran's lateral meniscal tear of the left knee warrants a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left foot disability and initial ratings for his right distal tibia with residual soreness and mild left knee patellofemoral syndrome, as there was no evidence of more than slight impairment in these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain Social Security Administration records and a VA orthopedic examination. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for PTSD, fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right knee retropatellar syndrome, and left knee retropatellar syndrome are being addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a right knee disability that is etiologically related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, with the right knee having instability and arthritis without limitation of motion, while the left knee has arthritis limiting flexion to 70 degrees. The ratings are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including total left knee replacement, right knee condition, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected left knee disability or to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for a rating in excess of 10 percent since June 1, 2002 for residuals of right knee medial meniscus tear.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities and hemorrhoids were denied. The Veteran was not granted any increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and right knee disability, to include arthritis is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not productive of moderate recurrent subluxation or instability, limitation of flexion, limitation of extension, ankylosis, or malunion of the tibia and fibula. The Veteran has dislocated cartilage in his right knee with locking and pain.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not shown to be present for VA compensation purposes.,His pre-existing thoracic spine and right knee conditions are clearly and unmistakably present prior to service, so they were not aggravated by service.