Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidentiary development, including a lack of service medical records and failure to provide proper notice regarding why the claim was previously denied.

From June 1, 2000 to June 6, 2005, the Veteran's left knee disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent combined, effective May 30, 2008. His bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been granted, with the right knee receiving a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee condition was aggravated by his active service, and thus grants service connection for residuals of a right knee disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left knee disorders, including degenerative joint disease and medial meniscus tear/maceration, were not incurred or aggravated during his period of active service. The evidence does not show a nexus between any currently diagnosed left knee disorder and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining employment history and conducting a VA examination.

The Board determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred during her active service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right eye disorder, severe chronic back pain, severe chronic neck pain, or right knee disorder attributable to his military service. High cholesterol and hypertension were also found not to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities do not warrant evaluations in excess of 10 percent, as their symptoms are consistent with limitation of motion to at least 120 degrees for the right knee and 110 degrees for the left knee.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a bayonet wound to the right knee and also denied recognition of USAFFE service from December 21, 1941 to April 10, 1942.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, fibromyalgia, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and thoracic outlet syndrome.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hiatal hernia, bursitis of the spine, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, a sore testicle, and a sore crotch bone were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen a previously-denied claim for service connection for a left hip disorder and denied entitlement to increased ratings for his right knee, left knee, and right hip disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease, left knee is not rated higher than the current 10 percent disability rating. The Board found no evidence of limitation of motion or instability warranting a higher evaluation. Service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral hip disabilities was also denied as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, PTSD, and depression. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection for PTSD was granted based on a diagnosed condition related to in-service stressors, but service connection for depression was denied as it did not manifest during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of right knee disability and extension beyond January 31, 2006, of a temporary total rating for convalescence following right knee surgery were denied. The claim for service connection for low back disability was not addressed as it is considered 'unknown' whether the appeal is about service connection at all.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic left and right knee disorders, and a chronic skin disorder due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions. The Veteran's GERD was also not found to be aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right pelvis and assigned a 40 percent evaluation. The innominate bone disability is rated as 40 percent disabling, effective from the date service connection was granted. The right knee arthritis prior to September 27, 2006, is rated at 10 percent.