Knee decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and decreased memory due to TBI was granted with an effective date of June 26, 1992. The right knee scars are rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 30 percent. The rating reflects the severity of his symptoms including pain and instability.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including hematuria, left wrist fracture residuals, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, hip and knee disorders, as well as a right great toe bunion. The issues are related to the evaluation of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and readjudication of his increased rating claim and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder, right knee disorder, and headaches was denied as he does not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records. The issue of an increased rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by subluxation or instability and painful motion, warrants a separate initial rating of 10 percent for the condition. The primary issue is whether she should also receive an additional 10 percent rating for her subluxation or instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee disability was permanently aggravated during active service, and therefore grants service connection for arthritis of the right knee.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee, hip, and low back disabilities are not related to his service-connected right foot disability. The evidence did not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher initial disability ratings for his mood disorder, left and right ankle disabilities, and bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus.

The Board has ordered the remand of the case due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased evaluation, and temporary total evaluation are pending.

The Veteran's left knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and he has been granted a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis of the left knee. The Veteran's disability does not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's right knee instability was rated at 20 percent prior to March 17, 2010.,Effective September 19, 2013, the Veteran is entitled to a rating of 30 percent for his service-connected right knee instability.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease with patella osteophyte has not met the criteria for a higher evaluation. His cardiomyopathy was previously rated as 10 percent disabling and remains at that level.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to the finding that his MVA was a result of willful misconduct. The Board is remanding the case for further clarification and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the Board for additional examinations and consideration due to concerns about the adequacy of previous evaluations, particularly regarding need for aid and attendance and loss of use of limbs.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee resulted in pain and limited range of motion, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for chondromalacia of the right and left knees with patellar strain for the period prior to May 3, 2007.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is currently rated at 40% for muscle injury to Muscle Group XIII, effective August 26, 2013. The Board has also granted an initial compensable rating for instability of the left knee prior to October 18, 2010, and a higher evaluation thereafter.