Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, characterized by osteoarthritis of each knee joint and postoperative residuals of multiple surgical procedures, originated in or as a result of military service. The Veteran's time as a firefighter in the Air Force is believed to have led to the wear and tear on his knees resulting in arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates are being considered. The Board has remanded the service connection issues to the RO, but is granting a 40 percent rating for his low back disability since March 31, 2010, and assigning separate ratings for fecal leakage as a complication of hemorrhoids.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and TMD, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service. The initial ratings for these conditions have not been increased.

The Veteran's internal derangement of the left knee is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the left knee is also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral ankle and foot disorders, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction, have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, and headaches. Service connection for hypertension was not established as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied by the Board. The case is now remanded to consider whether staged ratings are appropriate, TDIU, and additional development of evidence.

The Board has granted a rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability. The extension limitation is separately rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left and right knees was not incurred in or due to military service, nor did it manifest within one year of discharge. The preponderance of evidence demonstrated that his knee conditions were not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have any current right forearm, left ankle, or bilateral knee disabilities that can be attributed to his active service. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's left leg disorder, including DJD of the left knee and left heel spurs, is currently rated at 30 percent. The appeal for an increased rating has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder as secondary to a service-connected disability, PTSD, and type II diabetes mellitus. The Board also denied his claim for an increased rating for right knee disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased rating claims for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as left knee degenerative joint disease. The Board is dismissing these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's below the left knee amputation is not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, specifically his right knee with painful motion and degenerative changes, as well as his right knee instability, are not rated higher than the current evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder, hip, and knee disorders have resulted in significant limitations that require regular aid and attendance. The Board finds the Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as for bilateral hearing loss, are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.