Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's October 15, 2007 surgery for his service-connected left knee disability did not result in the necessity of convalescence beyond January 31, 2008. The Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for an extension of a temporary total evaluation.

The Veteran's DJD of the right and left knees had its onset during active service, and the Board has found that the criteria for establishing service connection are met. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee and low back disabilities are related to his military service, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for knee, PTSD, and TBI were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected left knee. The claim for TDIU is granted as it is supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a comprehensive VA internal medicine examination to determine the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee and hip disabilities, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim. The effective date for service connection for PTSD was also not granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and a left quadriceps disability, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims. The claim for a temporary total rating for a left total knee arthroplasty is also denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including strain with osteoarthritis and instability, has been rated at 20 percent since August 7, 2014. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and right wrist conditions to the AOJ for further development. The Veteran is scheduled for a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her left knee disability and residual scar was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent for the left knee disability from January 18, 2008, or an initial compensable rating for the left knee surgical scar.

The Veteran's knee disability, including Osgood-Schlatter disease of the right tibia and right knee lateral meniscus tear with chondromalacia patella, is currently rated at 30 percent for his right tibia disability. He also has a separate rating of 10 percent for right knee lateral instability and/or current subluxation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the etiology of his current left eye, back, and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for right knee disability was withdrawn. The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for internal derangement of the right knee, left knee, right wrist strain, and right shoulder strain. The Veteran's current diagnoses are consistent with his in-service complaints.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her knee disabilities and a compensable rating for umbilical hernia repair were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of chronic constipation was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with service connection established for bilateral flat feet. The higher ratings for tendonitis of the right Achilles tendon and posterior calcaneal spur of the right heel are dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, to include osteoarthritis, was found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran's left knee meniscectomy residuals have been rated as 10 percent from the entire period on appeal and a separate 20 percent rating has been granted since May 7, 2012.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent since June 1, 2010. The effective date for this rating is June 1, 2010.