Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's left knee was granted an initial compensable rating of 10% prior to July 19, 2001. Service connection for a cervical disability, right wrist disability, and right elbow disability were denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 30 percent disabling for instability, with separate ratings of 10 and 30 percent for limitation of flexion and extension, respectively.,Separate evaluations are granted for the Veteran's service-connected left knee based on limitations in range of motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left leg/knee disability.

The Veteran's DJD of the right knee does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent at any time during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is related to in-service injuries or use, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's mild degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine did not have its onset in service, within one year of service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's current arthritis of the left knee is shown to be etiologically related to his service-connected postoperative residuals of an injury to the right knee, and thus he has been granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, sleep disorder, headaches, breathing problems (asthma), bilateral shoulder disabilities, ankle disabilities, and knee disabilities, all of which were claimed as due to Persian Gulf War undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected based on his combat experience. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and skin disorder of both feet due to in-service noise exposure and other factors.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records from the Veteran's treatment providers. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities remain under review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional due process considerations, including notification of the new version of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f) and a VA psychiatric examination to determine whether his acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is related to service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an increased rating for spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral spine, L5-S1 with spondylolysis, L4 with IVDS; service connection for chondromalacia patella, right knee; and service connection for a right foot condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right and left knee osteoarthritis are being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, conduct a new examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's posttraumatic degenerative joint disease of the left knee is currently evaluated at a 10 percent rating, which reflects slight limitation of motion. The evidence does not support an increase in this evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the right knee is related to service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left knee injury with traumatic arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding his ability to work due to service-connected bilateral knee disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and hypertension, finding that these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected ankle disabilities. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it raises an issue under Roberson v. Principi.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is at least as likely as not caused by or the result of a right knee strain during his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.