Knee decisions — 2011

The Board found that the residuals of a left leg injury, to include a left knee replacement, were not incurred in active service.

The Veteran does not have residuals of right knee injury, left knee injury, right ankle injury, or left ankle injury due to service. His claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including osteoarthritis status-post total knee arthroplasty with pes anserine bursitis, was granted a 30% rating effective October 1, 2007. The decision also noted that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD warranted an initial increased rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 20, 2009 and increased to 60 percent as of June 1, 2010. The Veteran is also granted TDIU status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right and left knees have been evaluated at 20 percent each, but his claims for increased ratings are denied as there is no evidence showing that the disabilities warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis of both knees did not manifest during service or for many years thereafter, and is not causally related to his active duty or a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder, finding no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, bilateral hip disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, polymyalgia rheumatica, back disability, neck disability, and weight gain and obesity are not considered service-connected as they are deemed to be secondary to his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral disc disease with a rating of 20 percent and effective date of August 10, 2005. The claim to reopen for right knee disability is denied as new and material evidence does not show the Veteran now has such a condition. However, the claim to reopen for left knee disability is granted due to new and material evidence showing arthritis in the left knee.

The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether a current left knee disability is related to in-service parachute jumps and reported knee pain, thus granting service connection for this condition. The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD ratings and earlier effective dates were also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, as well as a review of existing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral knee and low back disabilities, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a hearing before the Board. The case will be processed in accordance with established appellate procedure.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including his total knee arthroplasty and associated scar, is service-connected as it is at least as likely as not that the injury in service led to degenerative arthritis requiring a total knee replacement.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including post-surgical limitations in flexion and extension, is currently rated at 30 percent. The examination findings support these ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and back disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral knee disability due to lack of new and material evidence.