Knee decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome and degenerative joint disease have been rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent each, based on moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint from April 7, 2010. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5258.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and left knee disability are service-connected, with no specific rating assigned.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating for left knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative changes from October 12, 2009, to May 19, 2014.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to incomplete factual premises in the prior medical opinions. The AOJ must arrange for an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his right knee disability, as well as any secondary service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting examinations to evaluate the Veteran's knee and ear disabilities. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right knee condition. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder, left knee, and left elbow disabilities are not related to his active duty service.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal regarding increased evaluations for various service-connected conditions has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence of in-service orthopedic injuries, and therefore service connection for left knee, right leg, and right ankle disorders cannot be established.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on Aid and Attendance and/or Housebound is being remanded due to the need for VCAA-compliant notice and a VA examination.

The Veteran's postoperative residuals of a total right knee replacement are rated at 60 percent since July 1, 2013. The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is not entitled to an increased rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including prostate disability, chronic fatigue or exhaustion with shortness of breath, neuropathy in the lower extremities, numbness of the arms and hands, headaches, acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as mood disorder secondary to general medical condition), left hand arthritis, left knee arthritis, and skin disability (chloracne).

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability and a skin disorder (claimed as dermatitis and chloracne) due to the lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his postoperative ACL reconstruction and meniscal tear, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board granted a temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery from July 7, 2010 to October 31, 2010. The Veteran was also awarded a separate 10 percent rating under DC 5003 for painful noncompensable limitation of motion.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's appeals for service connection on several issues due to her withdrawal of those appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for right knee degenerative joint disease, left ear hearing loss, migraine headaches, and allergic rhinitis have been granted effective from August 19, 2013. The Veteran is now rated at 10 percent for each of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right knee disability and service, as well as secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left shoulder disorder due to injury at VA facility in July 2007 are dismissed as moot because his right and left knee disorders have been granted service connection.,His claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right knee osteoarthritis is not affected by the grant of service connection.