Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the current 10% disability ratings are appropriate for both knees, with no additional functional loss or impairment.,For the left knee, a separate 10% rating has been granted for limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's left knee disorder was rated at 10% prior to November 12, 2003. From November 12, 2003, to July 9, 2008, the rating remained at 10%. After that, a 100% rating was granted for residuals of left knee traumatic arthritis status post total knee arthroplasty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck, back, and bilateral knee disabilities did not have their onset during active service or within one year thereafter, and are not causally related to service. As a result, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a bilateral knee disorder to allow for additional development, including obtaining corroborating documentation of a claimed stressor incident and providing an addendum to a previous VA medical opinion.

The Board found no evidence of a right foot disorder other than the fractures to the 3rd and 4th toes, nor any arthritis in the lumbar spine, hips, or knees, that was incurred during active service. The Veteran's statements regarding continuity of symptoms were not supported by medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, and his left knee disorder was preexisting but not aggravated by service. The right knee disorder does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his left knee chondromalacia with instability, left knee post-traumatic arthritis, and right knee tricompartmental osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities, including instability and degenerative arthritis, are rated at 10 percent each. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral knee strain has been rated at 10 percent since September 28, 2010. The current rating is considered appropriate as the pain and limitation of activity do not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, as he had been receiving a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for over ten years prior to his death.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected right knee arthrofibrosis lateral plica and left knee disability were rated appropriately at 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for partial left femoral nerve injury and tinnitus, finding that these conditions were not the result of the Veteran's willful misconduct. The other issues related to service connection have been denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left knee disorder that he believes is related to his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease. The Board has determined that an addendum VA examination is needed to address the relationship between these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee injury residuals, including medial collateral ligament tear, finding that it was incurred during a period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's left knee strain with instability and scar has resulted in no more than slight instability, which does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left knee condition is related to his service. The claim will be returned to the RO/AMC for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a history of surgeries and instability, was rated at 20 percent prior to September 4, 2008. The appeal for higher ratings continued.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection. The left shoulder disorder claim is pending as it has not been addressed in this decision.