Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder but granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's left knee disability.

The veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of records. The issues include increased evaluations for various service-connected disabilities, as well as a pension claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee condition, diagnosed as retropatellar pain syndrome, does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's claims of entitlement to increased disability ratings for residuals, fracture left femur; chondromalacia patella, left knee; and scar, left leg are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has found that the veteran's right knee disability is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The veteran's left knee condition is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disabilities. The RO has granted restoration of a 30 percent rating for post-traumatic changes in the patella, status post meniscal repair, and increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete examination reports and additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee instability warrants a separate evaluation of 20 percent, which is higher than the current 10 percent rating. The decision also notes that severe instability was not demonstrated.

The Board denied service connection for stress fractures and joint pain of the lower extremities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for his right hip replacement, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The appeals were based on direct evidence of a causal relationship to military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, right knee disorder, and low back disorder are being remanded to allow for additional development of the medical records.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right hip disorder, and bilateral foot disorders have been denied as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted the application to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder. The claims of service connection for bilateral knee and hip disorders are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and the propriety of reduction in ratings for shoulder disabilities were denied. The RO increased the rating for right knee chondromalacia patella to 20 percent, confirmed a 10 percent evaluation for left knee chondromalacia patella, and reduced the evaluations for each shoulder disability from 20 to 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently suffer from a bilateral hand disability and denied his claim for service connection. The RO is instructed to provide VCAA notice, obtain all relevant medical records, and request information regarding work loss due to knee disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's lower back and right knee disorders are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus. As a result, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disability and hypertension do not warrant higher ratings as the evidence does not show more than the current assigned evaluations.