Knee decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examination and review of VA treatment records to determine if he is entitled to increased disability ratings for his service-connected right and left knee posttraumatic arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and further development is required.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disorder. The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the right knee, which occurred due to service, is now considered service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current right knee condition, including degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's service records indicate she had right knee pain during service, but her current symptoms are not related to her in-service complaints.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is at least as likely as not related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for a left knee disorder. The claim for secondary service connection of a circulatory disability is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for VA educational assistance under Chapter 30 is denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria, including due to his delimiting date having passed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, left foot disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and below-the-knee amputation of the right leg to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, effective April 6, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for a right tibia fracture, a right knee disability (osteoarthritis), and a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and his right hip trochanter bursitis is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are not shown to warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, including arthritis, did not manifest during service or within one year of separation and is not related to any incident in service. As such, service connection for a right knee disability cannot be established.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for instability of the left knee associated with degenerative joint disease was denied by the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee injury. The lumbar spine disability is considered unknown due to insufficient evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's status post bilateral above-the-knee amputations were not caused by his service, nor were they caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board granted a separate rating of 30 percent for instability of the left knee, effective from December 17, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and an examination, as well as consideration of new evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg and knee disability. The Veteran reported an injury in 1972 during service, which he believes caused his current back and left leg/knee disabilities. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for extension of a temporary total rating beyond April 2, 2011 based on the need for convalescence following surgery for total left knee replacement and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability.