Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right knee disability has been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for his left knee degenerative joint disease as there is no evidence showing that his right knee disability meets or approximates the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability ratings for bilateral pes planus, chondromalacia of the right knee, and degenerative changes of the right knee from 30%, 10%, and 10% to 10%, 0%, and 0% respectively was not proper due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right wrist disorder, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, and other issues, have been granted. The effective date for the increased ratings is February 2002.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and finds that the evidence is in equipoise, granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle and right knee disorders are not related to his active service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips and knees, as well as multiple joint disability other than the bilateral hips and knees. The Veteran's complaints were not shown to be related to his military service or due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging a VA examination to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral knee disability, hypertension, chronic sinusitis, and degenerative joint disease/degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are all denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's chronic left knee disability is found to be related to his military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a current examination and retrieval of recent medical records. The goal is to determine if there has been any progression in his left knee disability, including whether separate ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is associated with secondary disabilities of the left knee, feet, and ankles. The initial evaluation for his right knee chondromalacia patella remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient competent medical evidence on file for the Secretary to make a decision on the claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, and right heel disabilities. A VA examination is required.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and right knee disorders were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee arthritis, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for service connection of COPD. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are not severe enough to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee meniscectomy residuals have been rated at 20 percent since July 28, 2008. The current rating is maintained as the criteria for a higher evaluation are not met.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, left knee strain, and right knee strain have been denied. The preponderance of the evidence does not support an increase in disability rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability, rated at 10 percent since May 17, 2005, has been granted a higher rating of 30 percent effective from June 1, 2009.