Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability and skin disability were not found to be service-connected. The Veteran's PTSD was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Board found that the October 2002 administrative decision, which determined that the appellant's bad conduct discharge did not constitute a bar to VA benefits, was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The RO had considered all relevant facts at the time of the decision.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and their relationship to his service, including verification of dates of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's service-connected left knee strain has been manifested by pain, slight noncompensable limitation of flexion, slight instability, and mild disuse atrophy. The preponderance of the competent evidence is against a finding of arthritis, ankylosis, limitation of extension, or more than slight instability or subluxation.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of left and right knee injuries, with specific determinations for each period of time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back strain and chondromalacia of the right knee are as likely as not related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claimant.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee disorder related to service or service-connected right knee, and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is not related to his active service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore denies the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee injuries and their relation to service.

The Board has granted service connection for chondromalacia patella of the left knee, PTSD, tinnitus, and IBS. The Veteran's symptoms are linked to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Codes 5260-5003. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the April 2003 RO decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating any of the claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran did not have a chronic condition during active duty or within one year of separation. The current conditions are deemed unrelated to service.

The Board has determined that a service-connected disability contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death, and therefore grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran is seeking a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected left knee disorder. The RO has assigned an initial 10 percent rating, effective November 1, 2005. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and determine the current severity of the Veteran's left knee disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and early degenerative changes of the left knee as secondary to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's heart condition is not considered service connected.,Service connection was established for PTSD based on credible evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right knee disorder or left knee disorder that is service-connected. The evidence shows no nexus between any current right or left knee disorders and his period of active service.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The effective dates are set at February 19, 1997.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and leg disabilities, as well as a lower back disability secondary to his service-connected scars from the right knee, are being remanded due to insufficient examination regarding the etiology of these conditions.