Knee decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for his right great toe or cervical spine disabilities. The effective dates for the awards of service connection for radiculopathy and TMJ disability were granted, but not earlier than April 6, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding several issues, including service connection for various conditions. The current ratings for bilateral pes planus and hearing loss are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to address functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disorders due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's patellar chondromalacia, left knee, resulted in symptoms such as painful motion and reduced range of motion but did not result in limitation of extension to 30-39 degrees. The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee prosthesis disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and his current left hand disability is not presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection for a left hand condition remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case back to the AOJ for compliance with a Joint Motion for Vacatur and Remand (JMR). The appeal is now pending again.

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 Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected right knee total arthroplasty secondary to postoperative right knee injury with arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has granted separate evaluations for recurrent subluxation of the right and left knees.

The Veteran's left knee disability, with slight lateral instability, warrants a 10 percent rating based on limitation of motion and a separate 10 percent rating for instability.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, pes planus, hepatitis C, and PTSD were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disorder, left knee disorders, right knee disorder, and low back disorder. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and ensuring all relevant evidence has been considered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no current evidence of the claimed disabilities. The claim for residuals of a metacarpal fracture was granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease are found to be related to his active service. The claims for right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed the appeals as they are no longer in contention.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted.