Knee decisions — 2011

The Board denied service connection for residuals of frostbite and arthritis of the knees, arms, hips, and elbows as these conditions are not considered to be directly related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee injuries have been partially granted with staged ratings, but no higher than the currently assigned disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee arthritis and other impairment of the right knee, including subluxation and cartilage damage, are rated at 30 percent effective from March 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability with arthritis and instability are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional service treatment records, update VA treatment records, and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and arranging for an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will schedule a Travel Board hearing for the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disabilities do not warrant a higher evaluation based on current symptoms and medical evidence. The service-connected conditions are characterized by subjective complaints of pain, weakness, and instability, but objective findings indicate slight instability with no more than a 10 percent rating for ACL repair and DJD without occasional incapacitating exacerbations.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA), is currently rated at 60 percent and the claim for a higher rating has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he did not require a period of recovery beyond April 1, 2008 for his arthroscopic surgery of the left knee.

The Board found no evidence of arthritis or other knee disability during service, and there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability and his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a neck condition, DJD of the left knee or right knee prior to August 8, 2005, or chronic synovitis of the right hand and wrist (right hand disability) or GERD that was incurred in or aggravated by service. Effective dates for service connection were not granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his lumbosacral strain, as well as his right knee disability. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has ordered additional development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete records. The Veteran's left knee disability claim is remanded for a new VA examination, while her TDIU claim requires an updated medical opinion on the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her employability.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, thigh and leg shrapnel wounds are rated at 20 percent each since February 27, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with mechanical low back pain and degenerative changes, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are all rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's residuals of a left knee contusion with patellofemoral syndrome and chondromalacia are also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations and incomplete service treatment records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal of an increased rating for Osgood-Schlatter's disease with patellofemoral syndrome, left knee, with arthritis was dismissed. The claim to reopen service connection for tinnitus is reopened.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private dental records. She is also required to undergo a VA examination to determine the relationship between her current bilateral knee disorder and in-service motor vehicle accident, as well as whether she has an acquired psychiatric disorder related to her bilateral knee disorder or service. Additionally, she must be examined for residuals of dental trauma.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), effective from the date of the decision. The claim for service connection for a left knee condition, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, is reopened and assigned a 30 percent rating.