Knee decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability. The reduction from 10 percent to noncompensable for service-connected residuals, right knee injury, postoperative, with laxity, effective June 1, 2008 was proper.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, qualifies her for enrollment in the VA healthcare system under priority category 3.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities. This includes obtaining relevant medical records from various providers and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral knee, shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated in service. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each since June 12, 1992. The claims for higher initial ratings are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an orthopedic examination to assess his right knee disability. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU will also be considered.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right knee disorders, as well as whether they are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left knee meniscal tear and finds that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is related to his service. The claim for secondary service connection for the right knee is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any current residuals of a nose injury, low back condition or left knee condition that are service-connected. The evidence does not support his claims.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a chronic left knee disability and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and considering the nature of his right knee disability, which includes residuals from a total knee replacement.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, has been rated at 30 percent since November 1, 2000. A separate 10 percent rating for instability was granted effective from April 14, 2003 to the present.

The Board finds that the evidence does not show ankylosis, moderate instability, or other disabling conditions warranting a 20% rating for the Veteran's right knee disorder. As such, restoration of the previous 20% rating is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability was not incurred or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, effective May 12, 2006. The Veteran is now assigned a 10 percent rating for each knee disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral knee disabilities. However, the evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for any of his claimed disabilities, including low back, bilateral hip, left knee, bilateral foot, and bilateral hand disabilities.

The claim of service connection for a status post partial meniscectomy, left knee was reopened and granted.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder, including degenerative joint disease and limitation of extension, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The RO has granted the requested increased ratings.