Knee Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee condition was not incurred in or aggravated by his service, and is unrelated to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of exostosis of the left knee with atrophy of Muscle Group XII are currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to February 28, 2008, and 20 percent thereafter. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient clinic records and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has vacated its March 24, 2009 decision due to the submission of new evidence that was not considered in the original decision. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss and right knee disability were denied as service connection is not warranted based on the lack of evidence showing an increase in severity during service or aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and ulnar nerve disabilities are denied. The Board finds that the current schedular ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of epididymal orchitis and chronic tinea manuum, but denied service connection for other conditions. The Veteran is not shown to have a current disability manifested by hyperlipidemia.

The Veteran's claimed left knee disability and bilateral hip arthritis are not found to be related to her service-connected left foot disability.

The Board finds that the service-connected left knee disability played a role in causing the Veteran's right knee degenerative changes, leading to his recent total knee replacement. Therefore, secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for his sinus, right elbow, right knee, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and bilateral plantar fasciitis disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence to support a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension on account of being housebound due to his multiple disabilities independently rated at more than 60 percent.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment at a non-VA hospital from January 3, 2007 to May 22, 2007 are denied as the treatment was not required by an emergency and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated as noncompensable prior to September 8, 2006, and as 10 percent disabling effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome with post-operative scarring of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher rating is warranted based on current evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee meniscectomy with instability and arthritis with painful motion, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis is incurred in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of low back pain, right knee disorder, or bilateral ankle pain. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as service connection for secondary conditions related to these knees. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.