Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his total left knee arthroplasty and gunshot wound to the tibia, is rated at 60 percent since February 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for a seizure disorder was granted, while appeals for other conditions were denied. Service connection for the previously claimed conditions is not established.

The Board has found that the October 2020 rating decision did not comply with its remand instructions and requires further action to clarify ratings, diagnostic codes, and correct any errors identified. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of left knee arthritis (flexion) prior to October 25, 2018, and from October 1, 2020 are now remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to evaluate his service-connected knee and back disabilities, as the current evidence is insufficient.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, bilateral hip pain, and neck condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity amputation.,A rating higher than 40 percent for left knee traumatic below-joint amputation is denied.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the October 2018 remand instructions and thus, the matters must be remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the preexisting condition did not increase in severity beyond its natural progression during service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and leg disorders. The current VA examinations did not adequately consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service injuries and continued symptoms.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 21, 2004 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's combined disability rating was at least 70 percent since July 21, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a left knee disability. The remaining issues of service connection for right hip, left arm, left shoulder, and left wrist disabilities are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee and right hip are proximately due to his service-connected residuals, left foot injury. As a result, these claims for secondary service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for prior to October 19, 2020 is denied as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The SMC housebound rate claim is also denied due to the absence of a single, permanent service-connected disability rated at 100 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since March 2014. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either knee.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded by the Board in November 2020. Since then, he has been granted service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves and a scar of the right knee. The issue must be readjudicated considering all his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for DJD of the left knee and TDIU rating due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking the current condition to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's initial rating for right knee patellar tendinitis and degenerative arthritis is denied. The Veteran's separate evaluation for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity prior to July 5, 2019, was also denied. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis has been rated at 20 percent for limitation of flexion, 40 percent for limitation of extension, and 20 percent for instability. The total rating is 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as right and left hip disorders, are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The Veteran contends that his current knee and hip conditions may be related to his active service, particularly his service-connected low back disorder.

The Veteran's left hip disability, bilateral knee degenerative changes, left ankle osteoarthritis, and right foot disabilities are all granted as service-connected.