Knee decisions — 2011

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability since January 15, 2007. The claims for increased ratings of his right and left knee disabilities, as well as for initial compensable rating for residuals of tonsillectomy, have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his knee disabilities and an opinion regarding whether his back disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for degenerative changes of the left knee with limitation of motion and instability of the left knee were denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of records and further examination.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection have been granted, with the right knee disability being effective from March 12, 1979 and the left knee strain with osteoarthritis effective from February 20, 2001.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for left wrist sprain, left ankle sprain, and left knee patellar fracture have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer was denied as there is no evidence of a link between the condition and his military service. His right knee disability remains under review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a more contemporaneous VA examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disorders of the right foot, ankle, knee, hip, and spine. However, it is unclear whether these conditions are directly related to military service or secondary to a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination, as well as further consideration of his claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder, knee, and back disorders are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability and granted service connection on the basis that there is at least as likely as not a link between his current right knee disability and his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it is related to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral leg and knee conditions are found to be related to his military service, with the psychiatric condition stemming from depression in service and the knee issues likely pre-existing or not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that a chronic bilateral knee disability was not manifest during active service and is not shown to have developed as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service. The Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection must be denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability and an increased evaluation for his left knee disability have been denied due to failure to report for VA examinations. The Veteran has not provided good cause for missing the scheduled exams.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 60 percent effective May 2, 2002. The left knee disability remains rated at 30 percent overall.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral osteoarthritis is related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability pre-existed his service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying service connection.