Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since May 4, 2007. For the period from October 1, 2009, to December 6, 2009, his left knee osteoarthritis was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10%, then 20%, and finally 30% since July 2, 2009. The claim is now before the Board to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not establish a current disability related to his in-service injuries or events.,Service connection has been granted for residuals of left leg fracture (left lower extremity radiculopathy).

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20% evaluation for his right knee strain, effective January 1, 2008. However, it denied a rating in excess of 10% for his residuals of right knee ACL tear.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is not related to her active service and denied her claim.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are required to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for his skin disorder, lumbar and left knee disorders, and PTSD. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 30 percent from July 1, 2006 to March 4, 2007 and granted a 60 percent rating effective January 9, 2007. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been evaluated as 10 percent disabling since July 31, 2006. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on limitation of motion or arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The psychiatric disability claim will be remanded as it was not addressed in the original decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee, left knee, and left ankle disorders are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right knee disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability are currently rated at 20%, 10%, and 10% respectively.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 17, 2007. He was granted separate ratings for instability and arthritis of the right knee.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than October 11, 2007 for a 20 percent rating for his left knee disability and for a rating in excess of 20 percent. The Board found that there was no medical evidence between October 11, 2006 and October 11, 2007 making it factually ascertainable that the Veteran's left knee disability was 20 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is being evaluated based on direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with VCAA requirements and to adjudicate the claim on its merits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a supplemental opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected right thigh disability and other disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an increased rating for her right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between her current disabilities and her active or inactive military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of reopening claims for left shoulder and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining consent forms and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee and left hip disabilities as well as his claims of compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.