Knee decisions — 2017

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

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, effective September 1, 2010. The VA examiner found no more than slight disability in terms of instability and provided a separate rating for mild medial subluxation under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to lack of compliance with the April 2017 remand instructions.

The Veteran's PTSD, back disability, and right knee disability are all granted as service-connected. The Board found that the stressor for PTSD occurred during active duty, and there is no indication of a superimposed injury or disease in service. The back condition was not shown to be related to service due to congenital defect without additional disability. The right knee disability does not appear to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, to include as due to right knee arthritis, status post total right knee replacement.,The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a thoracic spine disability, to include as secondary to right knee arthritis, status post right knee replacement.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for arthritis of the right knee, status post total right knee replacement from December 1, 2013.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 1, 2014.

Your claim for service connection for a right knee disability has been fully granted and you are now receiving the appropriate rating. The appeal is dismissed as there are no longer any issues to be decided.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability and kidney disease, finding that new evidence supports the claims.

The Veteran's pre-2011 left knee disability was rated at 10 and 20 percent, respectively. From January 1, 2013 onwards, he is rated at 60 percent for his status post total left knee arthroplasty.

The Veteran's right and left knee conditions are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology and whether they are service-connected.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and degenerative joint disease, is related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability and granted service connection. However, there is no established diagnosis of ankylosis in his left knee, thus preventing the grant of service connection for that condition.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and service personnel records, as well as a VA opinion regarding the Veteran's Multiple Sclerosis, right foot paralysis, and bilateral knee disorders.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is etiologically related to his military service. The Veteran meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his in-service neck injury and granted service connection.,There is no evidence of a current hip or thigh disorder, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.,There is no evidence of a current groin disorder (including inguinal hernia and epididymitis), and thus service connection for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was noted on his service entrance examination and did not increase in severity during service, so service connection is denied. His arthritis of the feet is also denied as it did not manifest within one year after service or to a compensable degree.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied because there is no evidence of chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's left knee arthritis is denied as it manifested many years after service and is not related to his in-service knee injury. Similarly, the right knee arthritis is also denied.,reasoning for decision_summary_1

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated as 10 percent for limitation of extension, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. The tinea unguium is not compensable.,The Veteran's tinea unguium affects less than 5% of her body or part, and no systemic therapy has been required.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than December 21, 1999 for the grant of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of service connection were denied. The left knee disability was rated at 10 percent, with no higher rating possible due to flexion limitation. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for instability. Service connection for right knee disorder and low back disorder could not be reopened based on the evidence.

The Board has determined that the payment of $6,249.74 in attorney fees for representation from October 2012 to September 2014 is not reasonable and therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee osteoarthritis is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.