Knee decisions — 2016

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee strain and left hip strain as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. The effective date is not specified, but a rating of 10 percent has been assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an SOC addressing his claim for additional reimbursement under the FMP for medical treatment/services rendered in Poland.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral elbow, hand, knee, and back disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee condition, diagnosed as tendonitis, is primarily manifested by complaints of pain and some clicking and popping. The VA examiner found no limitation in range of motion or functional loss due to the condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral and cervical spine conditions, as well as his bilateral knee injuries with chondromalacia, are currently rated at the lowest possible initial disability ratings of 10 percent. The Board finds that these disabilities do not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent for limitation of flexion since October 14, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on extension or instability.

The Board has remanded the case for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(1).

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 20, 2008 and a rating in excess of 30 percent from April 1, 2009 forward.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a left knee disability due to inadequate examination reports and opinions. The Veteran's service connection claim will be further evaluated with additional evidence and an updated medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder, including osteoarthritis of the right knee, was incurred in and caused by his military service.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been granted service connection, with initial noncompensable ratings prior to December 21, 2015, and increased to 10 percent thereafter.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee disability, effective from February 2, 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating prior to April 9, 2010, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for his service-connected left knee osteoarthritic changes with history of lateral collateral strain.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also found that these conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the reduction from a 10 percent evaluation to zero percent for the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis status post-surgical repair, based on limitation of extension, effective April 1, 2011, was improper and restored the 10 percent evaluation.

The Board granted an effective date of June 19, 2008 for the award of SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim was pending since December 17, 2001.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated records and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of various claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and meniscectomy, has been rated at 10 percent since the appeal period began. The rating is for limitation of motion due to DJD.