Knee decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left tibial fracture, status post ORIF with retained hardware, does not meet the criteria for a compensable initial evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with no higher rating available due to the absence of compensable range of motion loss. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not resulted in ankylosis or favorable ankylosis, and thus a 40 percent rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with no higher rating available due to the absence of compensable range of motion loss. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less at times, warranting a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for left ankle DJD and left knee DJD, as well as the claim for a TDIU rating were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's arthritis of the bilateral knees was found to have manifested within one year of his separation from active service, and is presumed to be related to service. The Veteran's depressive disorder NOS and left ear hearing loss were not granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination due to the passage of time since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition and granted the underlying claim, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support a direct relationship between his military duties as a paratrooper and his current left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for which he would otherwise be qualified.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for bilateral knee arthritis has been dismissed as he withdrew from the appeal in October 2017. The TDIU claim remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee arthritis is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records from the Bone and Joint Center.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service personnel records, VA treatment records, and SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right knee and/or leg disability related to his period of active duty, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent for many years, and the most recent VA examination did not find any additional functional loss due to pain or other factors. The Veteran’s range of motion was within normal limits with no ankylosis.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess functional limitations during periods of flare-ups and discuss findings from November 2010 bone imaging.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed left knee degenerative arthritis is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are related to service. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee replacement is not productive of chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness, intermediate degrees of residual weakness, pain, or limitation of motion; or the functional equivalent thereof. Therefore, an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for status post left total knee arthroplasty, for the period from July 1, 2016, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 8, 2012, and a rating in excess of 30 percent after May 8, 2012, for right knee medial collateral ligament strain with osteoarthritis based on limitation of motion was denied.