Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected left knee arthritis, status post total knee replacement, has been rated at 30 percent since July 2011. The Board has determined that a rating of 60 percent is warranted for the Veteran's left knee disability due to chronic residuals consisting of weakness in the affected extremity.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by internal derangement and degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 20 percent for limitation of extension. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on the current range of motion.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 10 percent under the criteria for limitation of motion. The examination findings do not warrant a higher rating based on additional functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right knee or hip disability that was present in service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total right knee arthroplasty, has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent from August 1, 2011, forward.

The Veteran's left and right knee conditions are rated at 10 percent each, based on limited motion. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for these conditions.,The Veteran's posttraumatic coccydynia is rated at 10 percent, also based on limited motion.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric, right knee, and right foot disabilities as secondary to neurologic impairment of the left lower leg. The Veteran did not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability or current right knee or right foot disability that was related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left knee disability was granted, but he remains denied service connection for a thoracic spine disability.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints, left shoulder, right wrist, left wrist, left hand, right hand, and left knee were evaluated based on their respective disabilities. The rating was granted for the left shoulder, wrists, hands, hips/thighs, and knees.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and his right shoulder DJD is rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a low back disability, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left wrist and right leg fractures did not worsen during service, thus finding them to be a result of his prior injuries rather than service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his depressive disorder, left knee disability (including limitation of motion), and right knee disability (including limitation of motion) has been denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's knee disabilities are manifested by pain and weakness but no clinical evidence showing moderate instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic left knee or left ankle disability that is related to his service, and thus denied his claims for service connection in these areas. The psychiatric claim was also denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current left knee or bilateral hip disabilities, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that there is no current right knee disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's service-connected collapsed arch of the left foot is rated at 10 percent, effective September 30, 2008. The Board found that his condition met the criteria for a noncompensable rating throughout the initial period on appeal and granted an increased evaluation to 10 percent as of September 30, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including a right hip disability, right knee arthritis, right ankle disability, and a disability manifested by right thigh and foot numbness, were not incurred or aggravated in active service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death due to esophageal cancer. His total disability rating was granted based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.