Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran is seeking service connection for back, left hip, and left knee disorders that he claims are secondary to his service-connected postoperative osteochondritis dissecans of the left ankle with posttraumatic arthritis. The case has been remanded due to the need for clarification on whether a hearing before the Board is desired and for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left knee condition, and lumbosacral spine disease, are rated at 100% combined. However, the evidence does not show that these conditions alone render him unemployable.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, but granted an effective date of April 11, 2008, for the 50 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for service connection was based on his in-service injury and subsequent arthritis. The Board found no evidence linking the current right knee disability to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his dorsal spine disorder was granted, with a rating of 40 percent effective March 25, 2009. The left knee issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not related to any incident of service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete authorization for private treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and providing a VA examination. The Veteran's left knee disorder and cervical spine disorder are both under consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder, characterized by a tear of the medial meniscus and frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion, warrants an initial rating of 10 percent. The right knee disorder is not manifested by dislocation or removal of semilunar cartilage warranting a separate rating based on dislocated semilunar cartilage. The Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids are manifested by persistent bleeding with secondary fissures, warranting a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is etiologically related to his active service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and right knee disorder were not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board found no aggravation of pre-existing conditions during service.

The Veteran's appeals for obstructive sleep apnea, weight control, and skin infection have been withdrawn. The Board grants service connection for right knee status post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and tibial osteotomy with degenerative changes as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability and grants service connection for hernia secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for the service-connected left knee, left hip and right great toe disabilities were denied. The RO granted a higher rating (20%) for the service-connected right great toe disability effective September 14, 2005.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including traumatic arthritis with chondromalacia patellae and internal derangement with a possible meniscal tear, is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's osteochondritis dissecans of the left index finger is also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is rated at 20 percent, effective February 5, 2007. The CAD claim has been reopened but not yet decided on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spondylosis with herniated nucleus pulposis was found to have been productive of disability picture that more nearly resembled that of flexion of the thoracolumbar spine restricted to 30 degrees or less prior to February 12, 2011. As such, a rating of 40 percent is granted for this period.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is not considered to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee condition is not related to his active duty military service and denied entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis, is related to his active service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post concussion syndrome with headaches and dizziness, disfiguring forehead scarring, PTSD, and left knee disability, do not render him unemployable due to their combined effect.