Knee decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis of the right foot, left knee DJD with strain, and bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are attributable to service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability is manifested by pain, slightly limited motion, and difficulty with stairs and squatting. However, there is no objective evidence of flexion limited to 30 degrees or less; extension limited to 10 degrees or more; recurrent subluxation or objective evidence of lateral instability; dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent locking, pain or effusion into the joint; or impairment of the tibia or fibula. Therefore, a disability rating greater than 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 15, 2011 for the increase to 30 percent disability for pes planus was granted. The effective date is set at February 18, 2011.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent each. The Veteran was also awarded an initial compensable rating (20%) for her migraine headache disability.

The Veteran's service-connected spine and left knee disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work history prior to December 6, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot arthritis and bilateral knee disorder are not related to his military service, including a motor vehicle accident in Guam. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral knee disorders. The Veteran's claims for other conditions, including cardiovascular disorder, muscle pain, joint pain, abnormal weight loss, respiratory symptoms, and sleep disturbances, have been denied as not supported by evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is likely due to an injury incurred during INACDUTRA on November 4, 2007. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is service-connected, as it was incurred during active service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has ordered a remand due to non-compliance with the previous remand directive, and the Veteran's right knee disability claim is being returned for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not related to any event, injury, or disease in service, and arthritis was not manifest within one year after discharge from service.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The case has been remanded due to additional evidence submitted by the Veteran's spouse.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU has been remanded due to insufficient consideration of his education, training, and work history in relation to his service-connected disabilities. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral fasciitis, status post left plantar fasciectomy with heel spur resection was denied. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for gout, active process, affecting the bilateral knees and right great toe is pending.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected partial lateral meniscectomy of the right knee and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, effective from November 6, 2006 through March 23, 2014.

The Veteran's low back, bilateral ankle, and right hip disabilities are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated by active service.,However, the VA examiner opined that these disabilities are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not caused or aggravated by any disease, injury, or event in active service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left knee degenerative joint disease was granted, and he is currently receiving a 10 percent disability rating. The claims for increased ratings for his right and left knees are being remanded.