Knee Board decisions

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and clarify the Veteran's current bilateral knee condition. The case will be reviewed based on all evidence of record, including any additional information obtained.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthrosis with chondromalacia patella is currently rated at 10 percent, and his left knee osteoarthrosis with chondromalacia patella is also rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran withdrew his appeal on the claims of entitlement to increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence showing impairment levels warranting such a rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete medical records from the VA Medical Center in Leavenworth, Kansas. The AMC/RO must obtain these records and review the claims.

The Veteran's IBS and dermatitis of the neck were granted initial compensable ratings, while his claims for knee DJD, left ankle sprain, muscle pain, and insomnia are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current knee and back disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected pes cavus with callosities. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations for a joints examination and a spine examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly address the Veteran's death and its cause, including obtaining an autopsy report.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and service connection were denied. The conditions claimed, including hemorrhoids, parotid calculus and lump on the left cheek, skin condition of the hands, bronchitis, laryngitis, frostbite of the feet and hands, otitis media, compression neuropathy of the left side, bilateral knee pain and fluid, allergic reaction to a typhoid shot (chronic rhinitis), and exposure to ethylene and nitrous oxide gases were not found to be service-connected or warrant higher initial evaluations.

The Veteran's right knee disability manifests in no more than mild instability or subluxation prior to September 10, 2008. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a rating higher than 10 percent for internal derangement of the right knee.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder. The evidence did not show that the current condition began during service or was related to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's initial and increased rating claims for arthritis of the left knee and instability of the left knee with posterior cruciate ligament deficit were denied. The evidence did not support an award of higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, including those from Drs. R.C.G and E.R.H., as well as treatment at the VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that this rating was not warranted for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee status post total arthroplasty has been rated at 30 percent since July 1, 2007. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for a bilateral knee disability as there is no evidence of such a condition during the pendency of this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The claim for increased rating for low back disability was denied, but the claim for increased rating for left knee disability from July 1, 2008 to May 7, 2007 was granted with a 20% rating. The Veteran's claim for compensable rating for sinusitis with rhinitis was denied. The TDIU claim is referred to the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding a current left knee disability and its relationship to service-connected right knee and back conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, left leg radiculopathy, and right knee disorder due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition during or after service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and opinion.