Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's low back disorder has been granted service connection. The left and right knee disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating prior to November 24, 2014.,Left knee arthritis was rated at 10 percent from January 20, 2006 through April 30, 2010, with limitation of extension to minus 10 degrees. From November 24, 2014, the Veteran's left knee arthritis warrants a rating of 40 percent.,Right knee arthritis was rated at 10 percent from January 20, 2006 through April 30, 2010, with limitation of extension to minus 10 degrees. From November 24, 2014, the Veteran's right knee arthritis warrants a rating of 40 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for examinations to assess the current severity of his PTSD, low back disability, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee synovitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and severity of his right foot condition, shin splints, and left knee arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide her with VA examinations in connection with her service-connected pelvic adhesive disease, right knee, left knee, bilateral hip disorders, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the Veteran's right hip arthritis, gout of the bilateral toes and knees, and thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records, determine the etiology of his disabilities, and consider his claim for a TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not have its onset in service, was not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service, and is not otherwise related to service. The Board also determined that the current left knee disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have residuals of an injury to the right arm and hand, a low back disability, or a right knee disability related to his military service. The VA examination did not support the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tension headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), have been denied due to a lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and providing him with a VA examination to assess his left knee and right index finger disabilities.

The Board has determined that the cause of the Veteran's death, cardiac arrest, was secondary to his service-connected left knee disarticulation. As a result, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine condition is caused by his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, or if it was permanently worsened beyond normal progression due to these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral foot and knee disabilities are not related to his military service. The earliest objective evidence of these conditions is from 1980, many years after separation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee bursitis and DDD of the lumbosacral spine with spondylolisthesis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the claim that service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death, finding that other factors such as diabetes and tobacco use were more likely primary contributors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right eye disability and leg cramps were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service.,For the lumbar strain, left knee disability, and hernia with GERD issues, the Veteran was granted initial ratings but not higher than 20 percent, 10 percent, and 10 percent respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right arm, knee, and shoulder. The Veteran's current conditions are deemed to be related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, effective from the date of the August 2006 rating decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot and knee conditions are not related to his service or service-connected low back disability. The VA examiners' opinions were considered highly probative in this case.