Knee decisions — 2012

The Veteran's right hip and knee disabilities have been granted initial ratings, with the exception of a separate compensable rating for his meniscus tear in the right knee. The Veteran experiences significant pain and functional impairment that limits his ability to perform daily activities and work.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia and medial collateral ligament strain have not been manifested by instability or limitation of motion, warranting a 10 percent rating since May 21, 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, which includes Osgood-Schlatters disease and other old injuries to the knee, is related to his service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and service connection were denied. The RO assigned a total rating effective from April 9, 2009, for each knee due to TKA (total knee arthroplasty).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a low back condition and a right knee condition, both secondary to the service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling based on residuals of patellar dislocation and DJD with limitation of motion.

The claim for service connection for a right knee disability is granted as the evidence shows that the Veteran currently has arthritis of the right knee, which is considered a direct service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The skin rash of the groin and crotch area, rosacea on the face, knee disorders, dizziness, headaches, night sweats, and hearing loss are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The VA examiner found that the right knee scar did not meet criteria for a separate rating prior to March 24, 2012, and from March 24, 2012 onwards, it does not warrant a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including above the knee amputation of the left lower extremity and osteoarthritis of the right knee, have caused functional loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board finds that this meets the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability, which resulted in a total knee replacement, began during service and has continued since. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left knee disability (status post surgery), and left ear hearing loss were denied. The RO assigned initial disability evaluations of 20%, 10%, and none respectively.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination for his bilateral knee disabilities and readjudication of the TDIU claim. The acquired psychiatric disorder issue must also be addressed in a Statement of the Case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral knee disability (other than gout), as well as his claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension. The Veteran did not have sufficient evidence to establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The anxiety disorder was rated at 50% since September 10, 2010, and the residuals of resection of the distal clavicle of the right (major) shoulder, patellofemoral syndrome of both knees, and forehead scar as a residual of a head injury were all rated at 10%. The Veteran was not granted any additional ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been evaluated at 10 percent since September 18, 2000. The Board has denied his claims for increased evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his prior denial was not final and that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a left knee disability due to incomplete in-patient records from December 1957. The other claims are deferred until the remand is completed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of myocardial infarction with an initial disability rating of 100 percent effective April 19, 2010. The claims for lumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, and right knee/leg disorder have been reopened due to new and material evidence received since the May 2003 denial.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to a material change in disability since his last VA examination, and the need for updated treatment records.

The Veteran's headaches were found to be related to service, and she is granted service connection for this condition.