Knee decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity disabilities. The claims of increased ratings for left ankle injury, residuals of medial and lateral meniscectomies of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the left hip are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current right knee disability is related to his reported injury during Army Reserve annual training in May 1981, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU, as they are rated at 20% combined. The Board found that these conditions prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected conditions were denied. The VA found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a mood disorder due to a general medical condition, major depressive disorder, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development and adjudication of related claims, including whether prior RO decisions contained CUE. The primary issue remains his claim for service connection for a left knee disability.

The VA has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the appellant's right knee chondromalacia, effective from December 1, 2003.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disorders and service connection for diabetes mellitus have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's bilateral knee replacements were due to DJD of the knees that had its onset during active service. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is granted.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the Veteran's rating for limited extension of the left knee from 30% to 0% was not properly made, and has restored the original 30% rating effective July 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability was denied, and his claim for an increased rating for chondromalacia of the patella of the right knee was granted with a 10 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities do not warrant a disability rating higher than 10 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis, recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion into the joint, malunion of the tibia and fibula with moderate knee or ankle disability, or arthritis. The Veteran's symptoms include pain but no additional functional loss due to pain, weakness, incoordination or fatigue.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and TDIU were denied as there was no evidence of unemployability prior to April 1, 1999.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability had its onset during active service and is related to his military service, granting him service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for degenerative changes in the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding them at least as likely as not due to an in-service ship collision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a cold injury, and therefore service connection for cold injury residuals is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is currently rated at 60 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7346.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right knee disability that was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, including as secondary to a right knee disability. The case will be remanded for further examination and consideration.