Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's muscle strain and tendonitis of the left knee are currently rated at 10 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right hip disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 22, 2005. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher evaluation for his right hip disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities and the CUE claim were all denied. The Veteran's service-connected right knee conditions are currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left knee disabilities, as well as his psychiatric disability (PTSD), were denied. The claim for increased ratings for low back disability was also denied.,For the period prior to July 26, 2005, the Veteran's service-connected low back disability was rated at 10 percent. From that date onwards, it was rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The appeal for tinnitus has been denied as the Veteran is already receiving the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis was previously rated at 10 percent prior to January 2, 2008 and is now rated at 20 percent from that date. The claim for increased ratings remains denied.

The Veteran's knee disability led to his termination from employment with the South Carolina Department of Corrections, and he is now studying for a bachelor's degree in elementary education. The case is being referred for extraschedular consideration due to the impact on his work.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks for the migraine headaches, which is required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8100. For tinnitus, there is no provision for separate evaluations in each ear under DC 6260.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee, bilateral hip, and lower back disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities, as well as his claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities. The appeals are remanded to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and occupational background, as she is currently working as a home health nurse for two different agencies.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability and found new and material evidence to support this claim. The claims for bilateral knee and hip disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and right knee disability were denied. Service connection was granted for a bone spur of the right heel, but with no compensable rating assigned.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to evidentiary deficiencies, and further development is required before the merits of the claim can be addressed.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle, shoulder, knee, low back, and left hip disabilities were denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a disorder manifested by muscle weakness with pain of the knees, legs, and arms, as well as for osteoarthritis and rotator cuff problems of the shoulders. The evidence did not support the presence of these conditions during or after service.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee injury during service and insufficient medical evidence to link the current left knee disorder to service. The Veteran's account was presumed credible, but she failed to cooperate with VA in obtaining relevant post-service medical records.

The Board denied all increased rating claims for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.