Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability was granted, with a separate initial evaluation of 20 percent for limitation of extension since February 29, 2012. The effective date for this increase is set at February 29, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his GU disability and right knee conditions, have rendered him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities. The special home adaptation grant claim is denied as moot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing before the Board. The issues of service connection for left knee disability, lower back disability, pes planus, and a compensable evaluation for left wrist laceration scar are pending.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn, and his right knee disability remains rated at 10 percent. The issue of an earlier effective date for the left median nerve injury award is dismissed.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, effective from February 2003. The Veteran also received a separate 10 percent rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this claim as he is deceased.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, characterized by a strain and lateral meniscal tear, has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 5, 2010, and from March 1, 2010. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for removal of symptomatic semilunar cartilage following partial lateral meniscectomy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered individually and combined, do not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on their severity alone. However, his age and other medical conditions are deemed to contribute to his unemployability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for left knee patellofemoral syndrome prior to June 30, 2008 was granted. For the period beginning on June 30, 2008, he is entitled to a separate noncompensable evaluation based upon limitation of extension.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not currently have a right knee ligament disorder and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disorders are not etiologically related to his active military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent for limitation of extension from July 22, 2009 through January 3, 2013. The rating for limitation of flexion remained noncompensable.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his service connection claims for residuals of left lower extremity trauma, including scars and right shoulder disability. The original claim was denied in June 2001 due to lack of evidence of a current disability. New evidence received since then supports reopening these claims.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-total knee replacement surgery, is currently rated at 30 percent since December 1, 2010. The Board has determined that the current rating adequately reflects his functional limitations.

The Veteran's right knee disability, following his surgery in February 2008, did not meet the criteria for an extension of a temporary total rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes arthritis and post-surgery effects, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The RO found that the current evaluations of 10 percent are appropriate.

Higher initial disability ratings of 10 percent each were granted for chondromalacia of the left and right knees as of October 24, 1989.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but is unable to proceed with a decision on the merits due to the need for additional development.