Knee decisions — 2015

The Veteran's initial increased disability rating for left shoulder disability is denied, and a 30 percent rating is granted from January 16, 2013. The issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis, left knee, remains pending.

The Board found no evidence of current right quadriceps, right lower leg, right knee synovitis, or left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no current disability to support the claims.

The Board has ordered additional development to locate the Veteran's service treatment records, which may impact her claim for service connection of a bilateral knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing right knee disability at entry into service. The Board also found that any current right knee disorder is not shown to be related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a left knee disability due to incomplete records and requests for medical records from various sources. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to submit additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records. The Veteran's appeal remains pending and will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of an opinion addressing various diagnoses and findings of record related to the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 30 percent, with a temporary 100 percent evaluation for the residuals of multiple left knee surgeries. The issues of instability and loss of extension have also been addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist and left knee disorders have been manifested by complaints of pain throughout the pendency of this case. However, even when taking into account his complaints of pain, the record does not reflect any period(s) where his right wrist was manifested by ankylosis or impairment analogous thereto, nor any period(s) where his left knee had flexion limited to 30 degrees or less or extension limited to 15 degrees or more. Therefore, he is not entitled to a rating in excess of the currently assigned ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as they do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

From February 29, 2008, through July 15, 2014, the Veteran's right medial collateral ligament strain was manifested by recurrent instability which was productive of severe impairment. On and after July 16, 2014, the Veteran's right knee injury residuals have been manifested primarily by complaints of pain, right knee extension to 0 degrees, and flexion to no less than 120 degrees.,Since service connection became effective February 29, 2008, the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's residuals of a right knee injury have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a medical examination. The issues of service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as TDIU prior to April 16, 2013, are pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability has been dismissed as the RO granted service connection in December 2012. The remaining claims of increased ratings for knee, wrist, PTSD and migraine headaches are being remanded.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew her appeal through her authorized representative.

The Veteran's right knee instability has been rated at 10 percent since December 1, 2006. Effective July 3, 2014, the rating was increased to 30 percent.,An initial rating of 20 percent for right knee instability from December 1, 2006, through July 2, 2014; and a rating of 30 percent as of July 3, 2014, is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis and peripheral neuropathy are related to his service, with doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hip, knee, and foot disabilities are not related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right ankle and left knee disabilities, finding that a rating higher than 10 percent was not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of chronic bronchitis, residuals of a left fifth finger dislocation, or right ring finger disorder. Service connection was also denied for right ankle and foot disorders, as well as right shoulder and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right elbow disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, and the left knee disorder at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's left ankle disorder is rated at 10 percent.