Knee Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for left ear hearing loss or right knee disability. The claim for increased rating for right ear perforated tympanic membrane with retraction of drum and mixed hearing loss is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of new and material evidence, and requested that the RO obtain VA medical records from the appellant's treatment in 1978-1980, service medical records for his entire period of National Guard service, and information about how to locate Dr. Savage who treated him for his knees in late 1985.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right knee disability was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for right knee disability is not earlier than January 21, 1998.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for facial scarring, but denied increased ratings for left foot, right knee, and left shoulder scars.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and entitlement to a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or sufficient medical records supporting his allegations.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected residuals of open reduction-internal fixation of the left medial malleolus (left ankle) and residuals of medial collateral ligament tear and incomplete dislocation of the left knee, both rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee disability and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The veteran claims a right knee disability is related to an injury sustained during service. The RO has requested additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for the veteran to undergo a VA examination.

The Board found that the appellant's arthritis in both knees did not meet the criteria for service connection, as there was no evidence of an inservice injury or disease and the development of medical records did not establish a link to service. The claim for increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder remains pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left foot and knee disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, manifested by limitation of flexion to 15 degrees, warrants a rating of 30 percent.

The veteran's left knee replacement is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms and functional limitations.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were partially granted, with a 20% rating assigned for the left knee disability from October 17, 1995 onwards. The right hip disability was not addressed due to lack of evidence or withdrawal by the veteran.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current disability evaluations for his right and left knee disorders are appropriate, as they do not exceed the severity of his conditions based on the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current arthritis of the knees resulted from an in-service injury and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board granted a rating of 10 percent for the veteran's right knee disability from December 27, 1996 to April 2, 2000 based on recurrent mild instability. The issue regarding a higher rating prior to April 3, 2000 remains pending.

The Board dismissed the appeals because the appellant did not file timely substantive appeals for his claims of service connection for a left knee condition and an increased disability evaluation for a left hand disorder.