Knee decisions — 2015

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for DJD of each knee effective from February 20, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her knee disabilities were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues include left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome with arthritis, as well as post-operative residuals of a total knee arthroplasty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for the right knee and back disabilities, as well as a TDIU rating prior to January 14, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, ankle, and foot injuries are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for a right knee disorder and has determined that new evidence submitted since the last final denial supports this claim. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence to establish a causal link between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and an internal medicine specialist opinion regarding whether his combined disability picture prevents him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including vision disorder, low back disability, groin disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral leg disability, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability. The effective date of the grant of service connection for pes planus was set at February 24, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an extension of a temporary total rating beyond December 1, 2010 based on need for convalescence following his right shoulder surgery. The initial rating for his right shoulder disability remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, and left hip disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine whether the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his active duty service, including any aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability of the right ulnar nerve, and denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The issues related to his right foot, knee, and ankle disabilities were also addressed.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 20 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The compensable rating claim for the surgical scar of his right knee was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of moderate or severe instability warranting a higher rating.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA medical records, scheduling a new examination if necessary, and providing the Veteran with an opportunity to respond.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the right knee has been granted at a 10 percent level, effective August 12, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip and leg disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after his military service, and there is no evidence linking them to an in-service injury. The disability was found to be due to natural aging processes.