Knee Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and granted service connection for bilateral knee disorder. The veteran's claim for higher rating on his service-connected bilateral pes planus was also addressed, with the RO granting a 40 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's right ear hearing loss and carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist, do not warrant higher disability ratings. The veteran's tinnitus was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to June 10, 2003, but no higher rating is warranted from that date forward. The veteran's right thumb fracture and bilateral Eustachian tube dysfunction are each rated at the minimum of 0 percent. The veteran's post-operative pilonidal cyst, right leg, and torn medial meniscus, right knee, are also rated at the minimum of 10 percent.

The veteran's knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each, and the Board finds no basis to grant higher evaluations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of both knees is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for left knee and right knee disorders.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim. The initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a right wrist fracture is also denied.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including an examination to determine the severity of his left knee disability and whether any right knee, left hip, or low back disabilities are related to his service-connected left knee disability. The appeal is currently pending due to ongoing legal issues regarding the process for handling such appeals.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected left knee disabilities, warranting separate ratings for each condition. The left knee instability and arthritis have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct connection to service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, low back disability, bilateral hand disabilities, and sinusitis due to a lack of medical evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims regarding his right knee disability, including entitlement to a compensable evaluation and ratings in excess of 10 percent for instability and osteoarthritis. The appeal was also dismissed for lack of service connection for left knee and back disorders.

The veteran's appeal is about an increased rating for his service-connected fracture of the right tibia and fibula, involving the medial plateau of the knee, shortening of the leg, and degenerative changes. The RO has requested a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of the disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee condition, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is directly related to an injury sustained during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the postoperative residuals of a right knee injury and a separate 10 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The claim for an increased rating for postoperative residuals of small bowel obstruction is denied as there is no evidence of current partial obstruction.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic arthritis of the right knee, right foot, and hips. The appeals for these issues are REMANDED to the RO for further development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right ankle, and right knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease. The only service-connected disorder is a right knee disorder from August 1988.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the veteran for appropriate examinations to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee and lumbosacral spine disorders are not related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus cannot be granted as secondary service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left knee disabilities and right foot disability. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board found no nexus or etiologic link between the veteran's current right knee disability and any incident of active service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected left knee sprain and right femur fracture are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, with a combined rating of 60 percent. The claim for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment is pending.