Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left knee disabilities do not warrant initial ratings in excess of 10 percent as they have not resulted in functional loss due to pain or other factors, and are adequately compensated by the current schedular ratings.

The veteran's Baker's cyst of the left knee is currently rated at 20 percent. Service connection has been granted for status post thoracic spinal arteriovenous malformation/fistula repair and neurogenic bladder, recurrent urinary tract infection and recurrent pyelonephritis.

The Board granted service connection for arthritis of the left knee and a left ankle disorder, both found to be secondary to service-connected left leg phlebitic syndrome and left peroneal palsy. Service connection was also granted for residuals of a right hand injury.

The VA determined that the veteran's knee conditions, specifically his right and left knee chondromalacia, do not warrant an increase in their current 10 percent ratings based on the evidence provided. The examinations did not show any significant limitation of motion or other functional impairment beyond what is already accounted for by the current rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee disability, and thus denied the reopening of the claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, hearing loss, a right knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are all denied. The RO is instructed to schedule the veteran for VA examinations to determine if any current conditions are related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The veteran is seeking service connection for hip, knee, and leg disabilities that he believes are related to his service-connected back disability. The case has been remanded for additional development including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, are found to be sufficient for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board found no credible medical evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral knee disorder to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of brain damage, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability and right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the diagnosed left knee disability was neither incurred in nor aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to or the result of the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no competent medical evidence to support a current disability or etiology related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected knee disabilities do not warrant a higher rating based on their current manifestations, as they did not meet the criteria for more severe disability ratings under relevant diagnostic codes.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for right knee disability and finds that new and material evidence has been presented. The issue of left knee disability is not addressed as it is secondary to the right knee.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing and further development. The issues of service connection are not addressed as the appeal is in its initial stages.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (hiatal hernia with reflux disease), and interstitial cystitis. The veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left hip disability, bilateral knee disability, or rash of the lower and upper extremities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee arthritis and service connection for a right knee disability.

The veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating, TDIU, and service connection for bilateral hip, knee, low back, and arthritis disabilities were denied due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.