Knee decisions — 2009

The veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current level of her left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for osteoporosis of the left knee, PTSD, or epidermophytosis. For the low back disability, the rating was within the applicable range. The right arm burns and mandibular condyle fracture had no compensable ratings as they were asymptomatic.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected knee disabilities have been denied due to failure to report for scheduled examinations.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for his right knee disorder from 30 percent to 10 percent, effective July 1, 2006, was not proper and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been assigned a 20 percent combined rating based on instability and arthritis with painful motion. The Board finds that the manifestations of the Veteran's left knee disability are entirely encompassed by the schedular criteria, thus denying a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected laxity of the knees and degenerative arthritis were denied as there was no evidence showing limitation of motion that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of medial meniscectomy, right knee; degenerative joint disease, right knee; and degenerative joint disease, left knee were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of the disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation due to his left knee disability surgery from January 26, 2005 through October 25, 2005 is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic arthritis of the right and left knees, finding that these conditions were likely aggravated by active duty service. The Veteran's tendonitis of the right great toe is no longer in contention as she withdrew her appeal regarding this issue.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination if necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for his left knee disability is denied. The current rating of 30 percent for residuals of a total left knee arthroplasty from September 1, 2007, remains unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left leg shell fragment wounds have been rated as 20 percent disabling for the residuals of those injuries. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and did not address the effective dates of awards for left and right ankle strains.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability is related to service, while his right knee disability is not shown to be directly related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not secondary to his service-connected right knee disability and did not manifest during or as a result of military service. Therefore, service connection for this condition was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis of the left knee as secondary to a service-connected right knee condition due to lack of medical evidence supporting the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits decisions. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again based on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination.