Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent each.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability warrants a higher initial rating of 20 percent, effective April 2, 2012.

The Veteran's depression is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD.,His right knee strain is determined to have been incurred during active service.,DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine are also found to be related to active service.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of a left knee disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his left hip and right knee disorders, as well as a VA social and industrial survey.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his total right knee arthroplasty, is not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus did not increase in severity during service and denied his claim for service connection. The right knee disorder issue is pending as it requires additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was granted service connection, but the status of his bilateral knee disability is unknown.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to her disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for left knee disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for arthritis/degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, right hand, left hand, right knee, and left knee based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's left knee subluxation prior to June 8, 2011 is rated at 10 percent. From August 1, 2012, the Veteran does not have evidence of recurrent subluxation warranting a separate evaluation.

The Board has granted a rating of 60 percent for the service-connected right knee total arthroplasty residuals from March 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and providing the Veteran with an opportunity to submit private treatment records. The issues of service connection for bilateral knee disorders and reopening a previously denied claim regarding right lower lobe resection are also addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA examination to address the etiology of any bilateral foot and bilateral knee disabilities, including plantar fasciitis and patellofemoral chondromalacia of the knees.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his low back and cervical spine disabilities, right knee disability, or radiculopathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's current right knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated in service and may not be presumed to have been.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis for the Veteran's left knee disorder.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, residuals of L4-L5 discectomy, is rated at 40 percent and his osteoarthritis of the right and left knees are each rated at 10 percent. The current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein.