Knee decisions — 2011

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 30 percent prior to October 21, 2008. Since then, the maximum rating of 60 percent has been granted. The appeal for a higher rating on right ankle disability is withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current umbilical hernia is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current headache or right knee disability as a result of service. The evidence is against finding a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection as his left knee disorder was found to be preexisting and not aggravated by any period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left inguinal hernia repair and his current left knee disability, as well as any potential neurologic condition. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's left total knee arthroplasty has been manifested by moderate pain, weakness, fatigue, and stiffness, with severe lack of endurance. The Board found that the condition does not more closely resemble an amputation at the upper third of the thigh.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for ulnar nerve entrapment of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and a right knee disability, all including as due to herbicide exposure or service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for right knee disability and back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are less likely related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues related to the reduction of her ratings for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for his right knee strain and low back strain, as well as a compensable rating for his tinea pedis, were denied. The evidence did not show that the disabilities warranted higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination for a determination on service connection for bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess his current medical condition, particularly related to the right below the knee amputation in March 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed bilateral knee disorder, right ankle/foot disorder, and blood disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee and left hip disorders are not related to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder, thus denying both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is manifested by arthritis with painful but noncompensable limitation of motion, and her symptomatology of weakness, fatigue, guarding of movement, difficulty with weight bearing and recurrent episodes of effusion requiring a large hinge brace more nearly approximates the criteria for slight knee instability. The Board finds that a separate 10 percent rating for slight knee instability under DC 5257 has been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are related to his active service, granting service connection for both right and left knee disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and left heel disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran is now entitled to compensation based on this condition.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development of evidence and due process development, including scheduling a VA examination and arranging an informal telephone conference with the veteran's attorney. The Veteran is also advised that he must report for the scheduled VA examination or provide good cause for non-attendance.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5260 for limitation of flexion. The VA examiner found the Veteran has limited flexion to 75 degrees, with extension limited to 5 degrees.