Knee decisions — 2011

The Board denied service connection for low back, bilateral shoulder, and left knee disorders due to lack of evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5257 for impairment of the knee. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no indication of severe instability or subluxation, and x-ray findings do not show arthritis warranting an additional compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected right knee replacement on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the left leg and thigh, and back disorder have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and PTSD has been granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for his left knee disability and 30 percent for his PTSD.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and a left knee disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected flat feet. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as any other identified right and left knee disorders. The Veteran must be provided with an opportunity to report for this examination or submit alternative arrangements.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was granted, with the effective date being October 1, 2008.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun in service and is granted service connection. The left foot, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities are not currently supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun in service and is granted service connection. The left foot, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities are not currently supported by the evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for residuals of right leg below-the-knee amputation, PVD of the right leg, and Buerger's disease as his current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, considering whether it can be granted based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition during service.

The Veteran's DJD of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent, but his range of motion does not meet criteria for a higher rating under DCs 5260 and 5261.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her left knee injury, which was previously rated at 20%, has been granted and she is now receiving a 10% disability rating effective November 1, 2005. The Board found that the reduction from 20% to 10% did not meet the criteria for restoration of the higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for residuals of food poisoning and a left knee disability, requiring further development.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded to the RO for further examination and consideration, as his service-connected disabilities may render him unemployable.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not causally or etiologically related to his active service, nor proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee/leg disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, including SSA records. He also needs examinations for his lumbar spine condition and right and left knee/ankle conditions, as well as a TDIU examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right knee disorders are granted as his current diagnoses of chronic sprain are found to be related to symptoms he experienced during active duty.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric, cognitive, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The case will be remanded for these purposes.