Knee decisions — 2013

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since July 4, 1991. The RO denied a higher rating as the condition does not meet criteria for more severe ratings based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, initially characterized as Osgood-Schlatter's Disease and postoperative arthrotomy of the left knee, was rated at 40 percent prior to April 19, 2006. The rating has been increased to 60 percent from June 1, 2007 to April 13, 2009, and to 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a meniscus injury, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The preexisting condition of a right knee arthroscopic surgery is considered to have existed prior to service and did not increase in severity during service. Osteoarthritis is deemed the natural progression of the pre-existing right knee injury/treatment combined with post-service obesity and occupational bending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The VA has determined that the current 10 percent ratings are appropriate based on painful, limited motion.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to December 17, 2007 was denied as she did not meet the schedular requirements and there was no evidence of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the retrieval of relevant medical records. The issues are related to increased evaluations for his left thumb disability and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for an orthopedic examination of the Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability was not present until more than one year after service and is not related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been denied.

The Board granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella and osteochondromata, finding it related to the Veteran's active service. The left knee condition was also found to be related to service, but a separate rating of 10 percent is assigned for lateral instability.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability. The RO has remanded the case to obtain additional evidence and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing at the RO due to the Veteran's request.

The Board has granted service connection for posttraumatic arthritis of the left knee, right knee, and left shoulder disability. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of whether separate evaluations are warranted for instability and flexion/extension associated with the right knee disorder. The raised claim of service connection for gout will also be adjudicated.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders were not incurred or aggravated by active military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the evaluation of the Veteran's right knee disability from 60% to 10% was proper, effective October 1, 2007. The Veteran is now rated at 10% for limitation of flexion and 40% for limitation of extension.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings due to a failure to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle DJD.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee scars are rated at 10 percent since July 3, 2008.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected arthritis of the back. The examiner is asked to reconcile findings from prior examinations and provide opinions on whether any current left knee disorder is related to active service or developed within one year following discharge, and if it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's appeals are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including an opinion on whether his current Reiter's syndrome/reactive arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected genitourinary problems.