Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee arthroplasty, is currently rated at 60 percent from February 1, 2008. A separate rating of 20 percent is granted for instability and recurrent subluxation since May 12, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right wrist disorder, right knee disorder, right foot disorder (including arthritis), back disorder (including arthritis), bilateral hearing loss, fungus infections of the ears, residuals of a perforated left eardrum, tonsillitis, spot on the left lung, or hemorrhoids. The skin condition is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip osteoarthritis is etiologically related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for a bilateral knee disability is addressed in the Remand section.

The Veteran's right knee scar and patellofemoral syndrome are found to be related to his service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's facial nerve weakness and right knee disorder are service-connected, with the right knee disorder receiving a separate initial rating of 10 percent.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine service connection for his bilateral foot disability and right knee disability. The claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been remanded by the Board due to an inadequate VA examination report.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, and right knee disabilities have been denied. The VA has not provided a disability rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's left knee disability, manifested by limitation of extension to 10 degrees, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is permanently worsened by his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease at L4-L5, L5-S1 and right knee strain with instability are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records and examine the Veteran for his claims of service connection for various joint disabilities. The case is being remanded to ensure compliance with these orders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left total knee replacement does not warrant an increased evaluation beginning on February 1, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected low back, left knee, and left wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his right knee disorder and the severity of his lumbar disc strain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims of service connection for various joints and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and left knee gout are being remanded due to incomplete examinations and need further development.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee is rated at 10 percent prior to November 25, 2009. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of limitation of extension or flexion.,The Veteran's instability of the right knee was rated as noncompensable from November 22, 2008 to November 24, 2009. However, he is now rated at 10 percent for this issue.