Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the June 1995 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim of service connection for bilateral knee disability, and thus new and material evidence has not been submitted. As such, the claim has not been reopened.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for chronic bilateral hip disorder, low back disorder, and right foot disorder secondary to left ankle fracture. However, these claims were ultimately denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between the claimed conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as there is no factually ascertainable evidence of an increase in the severity of his service-connected conditions within one year prior to October 22, 2001.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disorders, finding that these conditions were not caused or made worse by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's knee injury in service was not chronic and there is no continuity of symptoms since discharge. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and compliance with VCAA notification requirements.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder is rated at 20 percent, with limitation of extension limited to 5 degrees or less. The Board denied increased ratings for the left hip and right heel disorders as secondary to the service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee patellar tendonitis was incurred during his service and grants service connection for this condition. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is denied as there are no incapacitating episodes or significant neurological impairment.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis does not warrant an initial compensable disability rating, from March 7, 2002, or a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, from April 17, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee injury was denied. The Board found that the residuals of a left knee injury did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent disability rating. Additionally, the claim for service connection for PTSD was also denied due to lack of corroborated in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected disabilities have been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to decide these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition and a back condition, finding that there is no medical evidence of these conditions during his period of active service and concluding that any current disorders are more likely than not due to aging rather than military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine disorder, right knee instability, and arthritis of the right knee were denied. The RO found that the current evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's skin rash and bilateral knee disability are not service-connected. The skin rash is not shown to have been present during service or within the presumptive period for Agent Orange exposure, while the knee disability may be related to service but requires further examination.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and determine the etiology of any current left knee disability.