Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, were granted. The initial ratings assigned are 10 percent for each knee strain and a combined rating of 20 percent for the low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective May 25, 2000.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected left hip, left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities was denied. The VA found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities are severe enough to prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right knee, and right ankle disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left foot disabilities. A temporary total rating (TTR) for one month following October 30, 2009 surgery on the left foot is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his hearing loss disability and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of his right ankle disability, onychomycosis, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral foot, knee, and left wrist disabilities are found to be related to his active service. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral elbow disability, and back disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a low back disability, and a right knee disability due to his withdrawal of these claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to missing evidence and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination to determine the current nature and etiologies of his claimed left hip, back, left and right knee, left and right hand, right ankle, and coccyx disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of neck disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral eye disability, bilateral feet disability, diabetes mellitus, heart attack caused by clogged artery, psychiatric disorder (anxiety attacks and nervousness), headaches, bilateral leg disability, and bilateral arm disability have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for a back disability is denied as there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has determined that there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's in-service right foot cellulitis and his current above-the-knee amputation of the right leg, and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left ear hearing loss and emphysema have been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence that suggests the Veteran's knee disabilities may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is found to be service-connected, with the Board granting service connection based on evidence showing that his current condition likely stems from changes noted during his period of active service. The claim for sleep apnea remains pending as a new VA examination and opinion are required.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent for instability, effective March 12, 2012. The initial ratings of 10 percent each for limitation of flexion and extension have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. Degenerative joint disease of the right knee was also not exhibited within the first post-service year.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and his depression is rated at 70 percent since March 28, 2013. The Veteran seeks an increased rating for his right knee disability.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left knee injury, status-post surgical repair. The disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims.