Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his left ankle disability has been granted, with the effective date set at February 21, 1956. The higher initial rating and service connection claims for right knee total arthroplasty are remanded.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination.

The Board has awarded a 10 percent rating for shortening of the left lower extremity, effective July 13, 2009. The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left knee is also considered in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to address his breathing condition, back condition, and bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his current knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee and low back disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee degenerative joint disease, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claimed left arm, shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities are not deemed to be the result of VA care or treatment. The Board finds that there is no indication that any additional disability was caused by VA negligence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right knee disability or hypertension due to service. The evidence shows no in-service injury, and current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disorders, finding that the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, effective June 24, 2008. This rating takes into account both the noncompensable limitation of motion and the frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin and right knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by active service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service and the current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee arthritis is not related to his service and denied both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, including as secondary to his right knee disability, is being remanded for further review by the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and right knee disorders are not related to his active duty service or any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder and back disorder are not causally or etiologically related to service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right knee rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from March 2000 through September 7, 2009.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected scar residual of the right knee area.