Knee Board decisions

The Board denied a rating higher than 20 percent for the right knee disability based on limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability as it was not etiologically related to the Veteran's service or his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee arthralgia, a right elbow disability, and arthritis of the left elbow were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims, and there is no current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee and bilateral hearing loss, as there was no evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is characterized by social impairment, chronic recurring nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, irritability, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and a suicide attempt. The GAF scores ranged from 35 to 70 during the appeal period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for lumbosacral strain, and the Board found that a left knee disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were not related to active duty service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left knee disability, as well as an increased rating for bilateral heel spurs with plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's left knee disability does not result in flexion limited to less than 90 degrees, extension more limited than to 0 degrees, or more than slight lateral instability or subluxation. Therefore, an increased evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for duodenal ulcer disease and a separate 10 percent rating for left knee degenerative joint disease by X-ray with painful motion, but the claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, PTSD, and left knee instability were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left knee disorder and service connection for right knee and back disorders, as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating or establish that these conditions were related to his active service or any incident therein.

The appeal is remanded for further development of the evidence, including obtaining a new medical opinion to determine the etiology of the veteran's low back and knee conditions as well as his hearing loss and tinnitus.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The appeal is remanded for further evidentiary development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran is not entitled to special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, left and right knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus as the evidence did not support a finding of a chronic disability in service or continuity of relevant symptomatology.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, acid reflux disease, sinusitis with chronic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, occipital neuralgia, and tinnitus were denied. However, the claim for chronic headaches was granted.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder as there is no competent evidence relating it to service or any incident of service, including exposure to herbicides.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and to provide the Veteran with proper notice of the laws and regulations governing his claims.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within the initial post-service year, and no medical evidence linking the current condition to service.