Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee arthroplasty with residual scars, resulted in severe painful motion and weakness on flexion to 20 degrees due to pain, as well as mild subluxation of the knee. The Board granted a 60 percent rating for this condition effective from June 9, 2014.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a right knee disability and the Veteran's left knee disability did not originate in service or for many years thereafter, nor is it related to any incident during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral foot or knee disability that is attributable to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if he has a current knee disability and whether it is as likely as not related to his service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disability will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and medical evidence, as well as to schedule her for a VA examination. The goal is to determine if the Veteran has residuals of a right knee injury that may be related to her current hip, foot, and ankle conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, is proximately caused by his service-connected right knee and left ankle disabilities. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's left knee DJD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and SSA disability determination records. A new VA examination will be conducted to assess the current severity of her left knee disability and determine if any right knee or back issues are secondary to her service-connected left knee disorder. The Veteran's PTSD and menstrual claims will also be scheduled for a Board videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a right knee disability, left ankle disability, chest pain, or bilateral hand disability.,Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective April 1, 2011. The left ankle and right knee disabilities are both rated at their maximum of 20 percent.

For the entire rating period on appeal, the degenerative joint disease of the right knee has been manifested by meniscal tear; frequent flare-ups that result in increased pain and swelling; popping, grinding, and buckling of the knee; and locking of the knee. The criteria for a disability rating of 20 percent have been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, arranging for examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's disabilities, and scheduling a social and industrial survey.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis and right knee chondromalacia are currently rated at the minimum 10% level based on limitation of motion. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation as there is no ankylosis, limited extension, symptomatic knee with cartilage removal, impairment of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gout, bilateral knee arthritis (including gout), and mild obstructive pulmonary disease including COPD are not service-connected.,There is no evidence of any chronic symptoms or diagnoses related to these conditions during active service. The disabilities were first manifested many years after separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage rating standards for TDIU. The Board finds that he is not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development and readjudication, including consideration of an increased rating for his right knee disability and service connection for gouty arthritis of the hands and fingers.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability did not manifest during service and is not related to her military service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining clarification of and support for the September 2011 VA medical opinion regarding service connection claims. The Veteran's claims file should be provided to the appropriate examiner.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of the VA examiner's consideration of the Veteran's in-service diagnoses and injuries with regard to his current foot and knee conditions. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his left knee disability has been remanded by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case will be scheduled for an in-person hearing at the RO in Detroit, Michigan.