Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an additional disability of the left knee and an evaluation higher than 30 percent for situational phobia with a depressive disorder have been dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney requesting to withdraw these claims.

The Veteran's right and left knee instability were granted at a 30 percent rating from January 31, 2007 to May 20, 2012. The ratings for chondromalacia of the right knee and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee remain unchanged.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a 20% disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The right foot, hip, hand disorders are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's pre-TKR left knee disability is rated at a combined of 30 percent from June 8, 2014 to September 12, 2017. A rating in excess of 50 percent for the post-TKR period is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including chondromalacia with postoperative anteromedial plica and osteoarthritis, is rated at 10 percent. The rating for right knee instability has been granted but remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee and ankle disabilities are being remanded for additional development.,The Veteran is seeking increased disability evaluations for his right knee and ankle conditions, as well as a TDIU.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD, but the issue of service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for a left knee disability based on the receipt of new and material evidence is granted. The claims for service connection for a left knee disability (on the merits) and a back disability are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's right knee and left knee conditions have been rated based on their severity, with the highest rating of 60 percent granted for his total knee replacements. Separate ratings were assigned for meniscal conditions in different time periods.

The Veteran's back disability, disabilities of the knees, bilateral pes planus, and acquired psychiatric disability are granted with a 70% rating. The appeal is dismissed for the issue of service connection for shoulders.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have not resulted in ankylosis, dislocated or removed meniscus, flexion limited to 60 degrees or less, extension functionally limited to 5 degrees or more, impairment of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum. As such, higher ratings for his left knee chondromalacia and right knee osteoarthritis are denied.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder and right shoulder injuries. The claims of service connection for a left knee injury and bilateral feet urticaria are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected left ankle strain and her claimed left knee disability. The Veteran will need a new VA opinion to address whether her left knee disability is at least as likely as not related to, proximately due to, or aggravated by her service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his right knee residual scar is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA needs to obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an appropriate examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability, including his right knee residual scar.

The Board denied service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions did not worsen during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, bilateral knee disability, left wrist arthritis, lower back pain, right leg limp, and right shoulder pain. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's time in service.

The Board has remanded two issues: evaluating the Veteran's service-connected left knee and left hip disabilities. The VA examinations are considered inadequate due to internal inconsistencies, and a new examination is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to newly associated evidence and a need for further review of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's left knee disability to his service. The Veteran's private opinions suggest a connection, but they are based on an incorrect premise of 20 years of service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right knee degenerative joint disease was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.