Knee decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not improve under ordinary conditions of life, thus denying the reduction from a 30% to a 20% rating.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and an addendum to the December 2009 VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected right knee post traumatic arthritis caused or aggravated any left knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis, dislocated semilunar cartilage, or removal of semilunar cartilage. The Veteran's right knee impairment does not warrant a higher rating under these DCs.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee medial collateral ligament strain is being remanded due to the need for further examination and development.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service dates need clarification and additional medical examinations are required to determine if his current disabilities were incurred or aggravated during periods of active duty, inactive duty training (INACDUTRA), or reserve component service. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability and bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and preparing an SOC regarding the issues of increased ratings and effective dates.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia disabilities warranted a 30 percent rating each, but no higher, since May 16, 2013.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion and instability do not meet criteria for more severe ratings.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the underlying claims can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left knee arthroscopy with painful and/or limited motion was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and knee disabilities have been rated appropriately, with no need for an increased evaluation prior to May 16, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of her claims for increased ratings for service-connected ulnar nerve compression in both upper extremities and degenerative joint disease of the left knee.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by active service, as there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition prior to service. The VA examiners concluded that any current knee conditions are more likely due to post-service activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have a right or left knee disability during service and that any current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case back to the AOJ for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's initial rating for his left knee medial meniscus tear was denied, with a current evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is caused by service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's right knee disability. The Veteran is also asked to provide any additional evidence or information.

The Veteran's case is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Board hearing. The appeal will be handled in an expeditious manner and the Veteran will be rescheduled for another hearing.