Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by limitation of extension, is currently rated at 30 percent. The RO has granted a separate 30 percent rating for this condition effective October 1, 2007.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for a right knee disability characterized as degenerative arthritis of the right knee with a total right knee replacement, finding that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and psychiatric disorder are not related to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for right knee, left knee, and cervical spine disabilities were denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and an increased rating for his left foot disability, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left knee disability is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not etiologically related to service or his service-connected left ankle and calcaneal heel spur, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of flexion and lateral instability, is rated at 20 percent effective July 14, 2011.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and right knee disabilities. However, the evidence does not establish a direct link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has granted an evaluation of 30 percent for status post left tibia and fibula fracture with knee disability prior to March 11, 2008. The appellant's other claims have been addressed.

The Veteran's appeals for right knee and right hip conditions have been withdrawn. The claim for hepatitis C has been reopened due to new evidence, and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss of effective function, balance or propulsion of the right lower extremity other than that which would be equally well served by an amputation stump at the site of election below the knee with use of a suitable prosthetic appliance. There is no evidence of unfavorable complete ankylosis of the right knee, or complete ankylosis of two major joints of the right lower extremity, or shortening of the right lower extremity of three and one half inches or more, nor is there complete paralysis of the external popliteal nerve and consequent foot drop.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and his case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated as noncompensably disabling. The VA examiners found that the symptomatology associated with the disability more nearly approximated limitation of flexion to 110 degrees and limitation of extension to 10 degrees, without additional limitations due to pain or instability.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is being remanded for a thorough examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right knee disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, updated medical records, and further development.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for postoperative residuals of a right hip replacement is being remanded to the RO due to procedural issues and potential development needs.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right and left knee disorders due to insufficient development, including a lack of adequate medical nexus opinions.