Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for another VA examination to assess the etiology of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to July 12, 2007, and a 30 percent rating for the total right knee replacement has been established from September 1, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred within one year of discharge. The Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is also not shown to be secondary to his service-connected left and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is rated at 20 percent since April 1, 2008.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by medial collateral ligament strain and osteoarthritis, was rated at 10 percent prior to May 8, 2012. Since then, the rating has been increased to 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The left knee disability is secondary to the right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 60 percent for the entire increased rating period, and his left knee disabilities have warranted separate ratings of 10 percent each. The Veteran is also granted TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple secondary service connection claims for various disabilities, including knees, ankles, and back conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The case is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability and skin condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing at the RO. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, bilateral knee and hip disorders, and low back disorder. The reopened claims are now considered together as all acquired psychiatric conditions are included.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by military service due to a pre-existing condition.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus and denied increased ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee and early posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that there was no evidence to support a worsening during service or aggravation.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by post-traumatic degenerative joint disease and patella chondromalacia, results in limited flexion to 74 degrees with normal extension. The VA examiner found no ankylosis or objective evidence of instability despite the Veteran's subjective complaints.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including TBI and headaches, were denied as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hip and knee disorders, peripheral neuropathy/radiculopathy, and pes planus were granted. He was assigned a 10% disability rating for pes planus effective October 17, 2013.

The most probative evidence of record tends to make it unlikely that a right knee disability, manifested by degenerative joint disease, patellofemoral syndrome and bursitis, is secondary to a service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disability existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying service connection.

The Board has determined that another attempt should be made to schedule the Veteran for necessary VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities due to incomplete service records, including those from National Guard service and both periods of active duty. The case is also remanded to obtain dental treatment eligibility determinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there is no relationship between his current knee conditions and his military service.