Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal of service connection claims for low back and bilateral knee disabilities has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is denied as there is no evidence of a headache disorder during the pendency of his claim. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for other conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was granted, with the effective date being March 16, 2007. The Veteran also had his right knee disability rated at 10 percent and his left knee instability rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran is seeking separate compensable ratings for gout, arthritis of the right foot, and bilateral knee chondromalacia. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine if these conditions are distinct from each other.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. However, these claims are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that his current diagnoses of arthritis are related to injuries sustained during active duty, including a fall in the desert which he reported occurred after separation from service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hip and low back disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for right knee bursitis, left knee bursitis prior to April 24, 2013, and residuals of a right hip injury were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for low back, neck, and right knee disabilities due to lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are not related to service, as there was no evidence of arthritis during service or within one year post-service.,For his right lower arm and wrist disability, the Board determined that it is less likely related to service due to a fracture sustained in 1981. For his left lower arm/wrist disability, the Board concluded that it is also not related to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by recurrent instability and limited flexion, has been granted a combined rating of 30 percent since December 11, 2008. The instability is rated at 20 percent under DC 5257, while the limitation of flexion is rated at 10 percent under DC 5260.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining and associating the Veteran's VA vocational rehabilitation file. The claims will be readjudicated following this development.

The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine its etiology. The appeal will be reconsidered after the examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, which includes DJD (arthritis), is manifested by crepitus, pain, and flexion limited to 115 degrees. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a rating higher than 10 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective March 21, 2009. Service connection for right and left knee disabilities, left shoulder disability, and bilateral pes planus are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection for the right knee disorder, and therefore denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his residuals of rib fractures is denied. His current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5321, as it is characterized by moderate muscle disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling an examination and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's leg length discrepancy was not caused or aggravated by VA care, and the claimed disabilities are not service-connected.