Knee decisions — 2010

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his left knee DJD disability is rated at 20 percent. The left knee instability disability was initially rated at 20 percent from July 7, 2006 to July 6, 2006, then decreased to 0 percent effective July 22, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disability and scars.

The Board denied the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection of left and right knee disabilities, finding no new and material evidence presented.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound of the right lower leg, and also denied special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has previously denied an effective date earlier than June 8, 2000 for the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The case is being remanded to determine if a more favorable effective date can be assigned.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been manifested by limited flexion and extension, but not to a degree that warrants an increased rating. The current 10 percent disability rating is maintained.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right knee disability, including a tear of the medial meniscus and osteoarthritis, was incurred during active service. The claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and bilateral knee disability are not related to his active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of both knees, was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not related to any incident of such service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his right knee conditions have been denied. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating prior to January 30, 2007 and a 20 percent rating as of that date.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for arthritis of the right knee from April 1, 2001 forward is denied as his combined disability rating already exceeds the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reopening of a claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot and knee disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of chronic manifestations during service or for many years thereafter. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee with limitation of flexion, left knee with limitation of flexion, and right knee with limitation of extension were denied.,An effective date prior to April 14, 2005 was granted for the grant of service connection for instability of the right knee.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and reduction of ratings have been withdrawn. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, post-replacement surgery, is currently rated at 30 percent and the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's knee and shoulder disabilities have been service-connected, but the assigned initial ratings of 10 percent are not considered adequate for each condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for service connection for hemorrhoids, are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Board will schedule a VA examination to determine if any current diagnoses of knee conditions or hemorrhoids are related to his period of active service.