Knee decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is not a residual of his service-connected IBM and was not caused or aggravated by any other aspect of service.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and lateral instability, as well as his left knee osteoarthritis and lateral instability, are all rated at the lowest possible compensable levels. The Board found that there was no evidence of limitation of motion to a non-compensable degree in any knee joint.

The Board found no evidence of a leg or knee disability during service, and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection as there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of torn medial and lateral menisci and DJD of the left knee, finding that these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities of his feet. The rating assigned is 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee condition, diagnosed as osteoarthritis status-post total knee replacement, was not shown to be related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that it resulted from injury during military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the basis of exposure to ionizing radiation during active service was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal regarding these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of her service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability was manifested by swelling, pain, locking, chronic slight medial collateral instability, effusions, complex semilunar cartilage tear, and limited extension. The Board granted a rating of 10 percent for right knee instability from May 1993 to September 26, 2003, and a separate 20 percent disability rating for right knee complex semilunar cartilage tear with episodes of locking, pain, and effusion during the same period. A 10 percent disability rating was also granted for limited extension of the right knee effective July 14, 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his low back disability, were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The medical evidence does not support a finding of chronicity within one year post-service for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent during the relevant rating periods.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his lumbosacral spine and right knee disabilities were granted, but the rating for his lumbosacral spine was found to be inadequate.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant was denied as she does not meet the criteria for assistance due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a procedural issue regarding the reimbursement of CRDP withholdings from July to September 2014. The Board will provide an opportunity for the Veteran to file a Substantive Appeal and address this issue.

The Veteran's right and left knee conditions have been rated at 10 percent for traumatic arthritis, but the VA has granted increased ratings to 20 percent each based on additional functional loss due to pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his active duty service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's claimed bilateral knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a right knee injury and granted it, finding new and material evidence to support the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulation and his left knee disability is not shown to be caused or aggravated by service-connected right knee disability. Therefore, the claims for bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability are denied.