Knee Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a left knee disability, finding that the appellant's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck scars and migraine headaches were denied, while his claims for right knee and left knee disabilities were granted with initial non-compensable disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional examinations and the provision of outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left knee condition is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is not entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities and service connection for degenerative disc disease secondary to these conditions were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder is manifested by limitation of flexion to 45 degrees, and the RO assigned a 10 percent evaluation effective April 11, 1994. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent was granted.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to establish a link between the current condition and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic bilateral knee disorder during service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his claim for increased evaluations and service connection are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder began during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition and a back condition. The claim of service connection for GERD was also denied, as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen it.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for his shell fragment wounds, chronic otitis media and mastoiditis of the right ear, and hearing loss of the right ear were denied. The claim for service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder (to exclude PTSD) was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service injury incurred during combat duty in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and a borderline personality disorder with depressive features, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic acquired psychiatric disability in service or within one year after separation from active duty. The Board also found that any current anxiety not otherwise specified is not related to service.

The Board has requested a VA medical opinion and is remanding the case for further review of new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed knee, neck, and low back disabilities.