Knee decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back and left knee disorders are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for traumatic arthritis of the left knee, which is in excess of the initial 10 percent assigned. The Veteran's claim was remanded due to inadequate or incomplete development and a new VA examination was conducted.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent under Code 5261, but no higher. The evidence does not show limitation of flexion to a level that would warrant a separate rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a right knee examination, and obtaining lay statements from the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new or additional benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, heart disorder, and chest condition to include a left rib sternal articulation. The evidence does not support finding in-service incurrence of any disability or a nexus between service and current disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in several areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating prior to December 15, 2011. The left knee laxity claim was denied, but the Veteran's request for restoration of his 10% rating was granted.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability and denied her claim. For her left knee arthritis, she was awarded a 10% evaluation throughout the appeal period based on noncompensable limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current seizure disorder, bilateral knee disability, or low back disability that is related to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and addressing the Veteran's claims for service connection for knee disorders and cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities were granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned for the torn semilunar cartilage symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy and spondylolisthesis is granted, but he does not meet the criteria for a separate 20 percent evaluation for left knee disability. The effective date remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee collateral ligament strain and low back strain have been evaluated based on their current functional limitations, with no additional compensable ratings granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is the result of an injury during active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are rated at 20% and 10%, respectively, with a combined rating of 30%. The VA examiner found that the Veteran is currently employed in trucking.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for a right ankle or right leg disability, as the evidence does not support a finding of an in-service injury or disease and no link to current conditions. The Veteran's lay statements are considered along with the VA examination findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, left ankle, and right thumb disorders are not related to his period of service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions had their onset during or within one year after his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of TBI, scarring of the head, left ear hearing loss, PTSD, right knee disability, migraine headaches, and skin disability. The Veteran did not have a scar on his head at any time during the appeal period. His migraines were rated as 10 percent disabling based on characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to test the range of motion in both knees and an opinion on workplace limitations due to his knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment.