Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's disability, arthritis of the right knee, is currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5260 (limitation of flexion) and DC 5257 (recurrent subluxation or lateral instability). The Board finds that her symptoms more nearly approximate a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for a video hearing before a member of the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right foot pes planus, left hip disability, cervical spine DDD, shoulder and upper extremity disabilities, lumbar spine DDD, bilateral knee disability, lower extremity nerve disability, fibromyalgia, and left ankle disability. The appeals were based on the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development.

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

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, hammertoes of both feet, and hallux valgus of both feet. The decision also denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service-connected right wrist and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and a psychiatric disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected epididymitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including degenerative joint disease, meniscal injury and joint effusion, is currently rated at 30 percent for lateral instability. He also has separate ratings for arthritis with pain and limited motion.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings and an earlier effective date for service connection were adjudicated. The Board granted service connection for instability of the right knee with a rating of 30 percent, effective from March 31, 2008 (the date of the grant to reopen), but denied his request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the lower extremities, to include feet, legs and knees, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his right knee disability does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as hypertension. The evidence did not show a chronic right or left knee disorder in service or that any current knee disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the appellant's current left knee degenerative arthritis is attributable to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board is remanding the claims for further development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine whether the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder and knee disorder are service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including consideration of a claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case back to the RO for initial review of the newly submitted evidence regarding service connection for peripheral vascular disease and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected cartilage defect of the right knee with arthritis has been rated at 10 percent since May 31, 2003. The appeal for a higher evaluation remains before the Board. Service connection for headaches is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis, bilateral foot disability, and various knee disabilities were denied. The Veteran's arthritis of the lumbar spine and right and left knees are rated as 10% since August 17, 2007 and October 25, 2005 respectively. The Veteran's right leg and left leg disabilities do not meet criteria for a compensable initial disability rating.