Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 15, 2006 and at 30 percent since October 1, 2007. The decision granted the higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left lower extremity disability due to service, but his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine warrants an initial rating of 20 percent. The anxiety disorder is rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disabilities, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was also denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the current condition to service.,For the right knee laceration residuals, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7805.

The Veteran's left leg disabilities, including shrapnel wounds and vascular injury, are currently rated at the maximum allowed under applicable diagnostic codes. The effective date for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess his current medical condition, including bilateral knee and diabetes mellitus. The case will then be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with an examination. The appeal will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic lumbar spine or left knee disorder during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for the Veteran's service-connected left total knee replacement from 100 to 30 percent, effective December 1, 2007, was proper. The criteria for a higher evaluation were not met at any time.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-total knee arthroplasty, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability, including degenerative joint disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of any left knee disability.

The Board has determined that a right knee disability, diagnosed as a strain, is related to the service-connected traumatic degenerative changes of the left ankle and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent, but his claim for an increased evaluation has been denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for chondromalacia of the knees, finding no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder bursitis with frozen shoulder joint, left shoulder bursitis with frozen shoulder joint, and left knee total arthroplasty with prosthesis were denied. The maximum schedular ratings have not been assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 were denied as there was no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange during his service, and the claimed conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) and a right knee disability secondary to his left knee disability have been denied. The Veteran was granted secondary service connection for the right knee disability, but no rating has been assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and treatment records.