Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability and lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right total knee replacement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, as he is able to perform most basic daily activities without assistance from others.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, bilateral knee disorder, and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability. The claims for a bilateral knee disorder and hypertension are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for a right knee disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and PTSD. The right knee disability is related to INACDUTRA service in 1993-1995. Obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during active duty service. PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's tremors and knee conditions, as well as whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent rating for his right knee postoperative osteochondritis desiccants of medial femoral condyle, chondromalacia and excised plica was denied as the evidence did not show that he had received VA letters indicating he needed to report for a VA examination in May or July 1990. The effective date is set at November 29, 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple joint pain, finding that his symptoms are due to known diagnoses and not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia with medial meniscus tear of both knees, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and hearing loss. The noncompensable rating assigned for his hearing loss disability is upheld.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his left knee disabilities remain at 10 percent, as the evidence does not show limitation of motion or instability that warrants a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of chronic back or right knee disabilities during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection. The decision is mixed as it considered new evidence but did not reopen the claims.

The Veteran's face, chest, arm, knee, and dental disabilities are not service-connected.,No current diagnosis was found for the Veteran's face or chest conditions. The right and left arms have mild degenerative changes with no current condition diagnosed. Right and left knees have severe osteoarthritic changes aggravated by trauma.

The Board found no evidence linking the cause of the Veteran's death to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining service records and VA medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is granted a 100% evaluation for one year following the revision of his left total knee arthroplasty on July 3, 2007.

The Board found no evidence of current chronic disabilities for the left knee, right ankle, or left chest injury during service. The Veteran's complaints were resolved and he was provided treatment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for various disabilities, including PTSD, knee conditions, elbow degenerative joint disease, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, wrist condition/carpal tunnel syndrome, and left elbow disability. The decision also grants service connection for a bilateral arm disability (claimed as bilateral shoulder disability).

The Veteran's knee conditions have been evaluated based on their current manifestations and do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection with a rating of 20 percent effective March 31, 2008. The left knee disability was also granted service connection with a rating of 10 percent effective the same date.