Knee Board decisions

The veteran's claims for an initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a bilateral knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disorder and right knee patellofemoral stress syndrome are not service-connected, with no evidence of a direct connection to active service or secondary to a service-connected condition. The increased rating claims for both knees have also been denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right knee arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and current treatment records.

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left below the knee amputation and an increased evaluation for his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical records, including those from the Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital and Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

The Board found no current medical evidence of left hip or right knee disabilities, and thus denied the veteran's claims for service connection for these conditions.

The veteran is seeking service connection for left hip, knee, and ankle disorders that he believes are related to his service-connected right knee and lumbosacral spine conditions. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature of these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder. The veteran's testimony at his hearing provided credible information about the nature of his right knee manifestations in service and shortly thereafter, raising a reasonable probability of substantiating the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disorder, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and cardiovascular disorder. The examiner found no medical evidence linking these conditions to his time in military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee disability, post-total knee replacement, does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone, do not render him unemployable considering his educational and occupational background. The Board concludes that the preponderance of the evidence does not demonstrate total individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The veteran's left knee disorder, characterized by a large radial flap tear of the lateral meniscus and associated instability, is rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that she did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on arthritis or other service-connected conditions. The veteran was granted a 20% evaluation for postoperative chondromalacia of the right knee.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a hip disability and an increased rating for chondromalacia of the right knee. The evidence did not show that the veteran had a current hip disability or that his right knee condition warranted a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression and an increased rating of 10 percent for chrondromalacia of the right knee. The TDIU claim is still pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative right knee injury is not related to his military service, and his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) was first shown years after service and is not linked to any incident of service. The claims for increased evaluation and TDIU are also pending.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his rheumatoid arthritis is denied. Service connection was granted for eczema of the hands, but not for distorted hearing in the left ear or crepitus of the knees.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to Muscle Group XII of the right leg do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent. However, giving the benefit of doubt and considering the evidence in equipoise as to whether post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right knee is related to his service-connected condition, the Board has determined that a separate disability evaluation of 10 percent for this condition should be granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a medical opinion.