Knee decisions — 2014

The Board finds that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the knees with total knee replacements, are likely due to disease or injury incurred in service.,Service connection is granted for right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hip, and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for clarification of opinions from his VA treating physician.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, psychiatric disorders, knee and hip disabilities, and asbestosis were denied. The Board found no verified stressor events related to service, no current diagnoses of the claimed conditions, and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service.,There is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressor events occurred.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for post-operative residuals of the right knee and instability of the right knee, both prior to July 22, 2013. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and her arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred due to a lack of evidence showing it within one year after separation from active duty. The issue regarding her right ankle disability is pending as remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for groin injury, right knee disability, and left knee disability as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with traumatic arthritis and left knee strain with degenerative joint disease, as the last examination was from August 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, including strain, chondromalacia patella and internal derangement, is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Veteran's residuals of left knee ligament repair are currently rated at 10 percent, the lowest available rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion is limited to 70 degrees with pain but does not meet the criteria for limitation of flexion to 45 degrees or extension to 30 degrees.

The Veteran's right knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by his service and may not be presumed to have been incurred during his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been manifested by symptoms corresponding to a 30 percent evaluation and no higher, prior and subsequent to his total knee replacement surgery.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of the evidence.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease and laxity have been rated based on their current manifestations. A compensable rating is granted for the knee prior to November 21, 2013, but a higher rating is denied. The issue of entitlement to a separate rating for laxity remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip and left knee conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee degenerative joint disease is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left total knee replacement does not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's residuals of a staph infection of the right knee were not proximately due to or the result of VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA in furnishing reasonable care.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder. The Veteran's current left knee disorder is not shown to be related to his active duty service.