Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's left knee instability and arthritis were rated at 20 percent prior to January 5, 2004. After a total knee replacement on January 5, 2004, the Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for residuals of the surgery beginning March 1, 2005.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities and the medication he must take for pain related to those conditions. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his service-connected disorders and their impact on employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine and knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to her military service, including no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology from service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for left knee disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could make a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is not related to his active service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including a scar from total knee replacement surgery, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video conference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have been rated based on arthritis and instability. The Board has remanded the matter for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Dr. G.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left knee disability is granted as his status-post total left knee replacement had its onset in-service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for new etiology opinions.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection was granted in August 1995, and she is currently receiving a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis of the left knee since her date of claim. The RO has also assigned a separate 10 percent rating for limitation or painful motion due to arthritis.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was granted prior to December 18, 2007. From December 18, 2007 onward, a separate 10 percent rating was assigned.,For the period from October 22, 2009 onward, an initial rating of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of both feet and both knees was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination and further development of his left knee disability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic left knee disability in service or within the first post-service year, and concluded that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a supplemental opinion regarding his left knee condition, which was not adequately addressed in the previous VA examination. The case will be reviewed again based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee condition is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that an increased evaluation is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right leg, right knee, and right shoulder disorders due to a lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or a link between his in-service symptoms and his current conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a video conference hearing at the RO with a member of the Board.