Knee decisions — 2015

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right knee disorders, including osteoarthritis and a meniscal tear, are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is found to be causally related to his active military service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee disability, which included a total knee arthroplasty in September 2011, resulted in chronic residuals of a prosthetic knee replacement with severe painful motion and weakness. The Board granted a 60 percent rating for the period from November 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of left knee meniscectomy and ACL repairs with osteoarthritis, and residuals of a fracture of the right little finger were denied. The VA examinations did not find any additional limitation of motion or other disabling symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right wrist or right knee disability that is related to service, and there is no evidence of skin disorder on the back due to service.,Service connection for all three conditions (right wrist, right knee, and skin disability of the back) cannot be established as they are not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease was found to have its onset during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The claims for sleep apnea and headaches were not addressed in detail.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to schedule a hearing. The appellant's claims of service connection for sinus disability, right knee disability, and PTSD remain in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and evidence, including VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the length of his convalescence following surgeries on his left knee.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee osteoarthritis is related to his military service, specifically the injuries he sustained in a helicopter crash and an automobile accident during service. As such, the claim for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his left knee disability records and a new examination. The case will be returned to the Board after this.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The right knee condition was not rated higher than the current 30 percent, and no separate rating for instability was granted. For left knee degenerative joint disease, a 10 percent evaluation from June 23, 2011, was maintained.

The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and fibromyalgia, as well as TDIU. The appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, provide a supplemental nexus opinion regarding the etiology of fibromyalgia, and issue a statement of the case on the tinnitus claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee condition, which is related to aggravation of a pre-existing injury during service.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as arthritis and meniscal tear, is related to service. As such, the claim for service connection for a right knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for DJD of the left knee and service connection for a chronic right knee disability were denied. The Board found that his current right knee disability did not have its onset during active military service, nor is it presumed to be related to service-connected DJD of the left knee.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 7, 2014 and increased to 50 percent thereafter. The Veteran's left knee disability was also rated at 10 percent prior to January 7, 2014 and increased to 50 percent thereafter.,The Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable evaluation for limitation of flexion of either leg.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a current examination and additional treatment records, particularly from Dr. Larry Carter of Orthopedic Associates Surgery and VA Augusta VAMC.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including a VA examination to address the current range of motion limitations and functional impairment of his service-connected low back disabilities. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, and left knee disorder are also pending.