Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee replacement claimed as knee strain and finds that new and material evidence has been received. However, the Board also finds that there is no evidence to support a finding that the current left knee disability is related to active duty service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.,For his right knee patellofemoral syndrome, a 10 percent rating has been granted effective from July 9, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability determination, to be eligible for Dependents' Education Assistance (DEA) benefits under Title 38, Chapter 35, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his right knee disability and left knee disability, are related to injuries sustained during service. As such, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on their current severity, with the left knee receiving a higher rating due to instability and arthritis. The right knee is also rated for arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back disorder, and right knee and ankle disorders. The Veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient evidence to establish the required medical diagnoses or link between current conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and low back disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left knee neuropathy and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete factual premises and failure of the Veteran to appear for a VA examination. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities do not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms and examination findings.

The Veteran's left knee disability is now rated at 50 percent, effective March 1, 2017.,Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee meniscectomy residuals, finding that the current 10 percent evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left thigh disabilities, finding that there is no current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and right ankle disabilities are not related to his service-connected left ankle disability, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability is not etiologically related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is currently assigned a 20 percent rating for his right ankle injury residuals.,A separate 10 percent rating has been granted for the right knee, status post meniscectomy. A higher 20 percent rating is warranted from September 8, 2016.,Right knee DJD is rated at a 20 percent since September 8, 2016 and prior to that date, it was rated as 10 percent.,A separate 10 percent rating has been granted for the right knee instability from March 5, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions and their relationship to service-connected right knee disability.