Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a left foot hammer toe condition is denied as there is no evidence of such a condition during service or related to his service-connected pes planus.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for right inguinal hernia scar cannot be earlier than August 16, 2012 due to lack of prior claim within one year of discharge from service.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder cannot be earlier than August 27, 2012 as there was no prior claim within one year of discharge from service.,Service connection is remanded for a low back condition secondary to pes planus due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition directly to service or to a service-connected disability.,Service connection is also remanded for a bilateral hip condition secondary to pes planus due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition directly to service or to a service-connected disability.,Service connection is also remanded for a bilateral knee condition secondary to pes planus due to lack of medical evidence linking the condition directly to service or to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder pre-existed his service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the left and right knees, respiratory disorder (asthma), and sleep apnea as there was no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Veteran's right knee conditions have been rated based on their specific symptoms and limitations, with a range of ratings from 10% to 40%.,The Veteran's left knee conditions have also been rated based on their specific symptoms and limitations, with a range of ratings from 20% to 30%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his xerosis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right knee disability, and headache.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that the symptoms are caused by a non-service connected ACL tear and not related to his service-connected stress fracture.

The Veteran's right knee meniscal tear, chondromalacia, and arthritis were granted service connection. Headaches were also granted service connection. The Veteran was awarded a rating of at least 20 percent for recurrent subluxation of the left knee effective July 22, 2010, due to painful motion. For status post left tibial plateau fracture with left knee chondromalacia patella, an evaluation of at least 10 percent is warranted effective July 22, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including knee and spine conditions. The reasons are that new evidence indicates an increase in severity for all conditions, a peripheral nerve examination is needed, and VA examinations must include joint testing for pain on both active and passive motion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one is required for determining if the Veteran's left knee disability is related to his service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and instability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or symptoms, and that any current disabilities are due to post-service trauma.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the ratings for his service-connected left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome, as well as left knee instability, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity and cervical spine degenerative joint disease are granted. The Board has remanded the issues of bilateral shoulder disabilities, bilateral knee condition, and low back pain for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, bilateral foot disorder, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current conditions are being evaluated by VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and initial ratings on several conditions has been dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding diplopia and right side second rib fracture, while granting service connection for right knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted as service connected, with a rating of 100%.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left knee disability was denied. The Veteran also had a TDIU granted.,For the period prior to September 5, 2017, the Veteran’s intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis did not meet criteria for an increased rating beyond 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and left foot disorders due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided. The Veteran is asked to provide any additional private treatment records and authorize VA to obtain them.

The Veteran's knee disabilities are currently rated at 10% each, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear was productive of frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint during the appeal period. The Board granted a separate rating of 20 percent for this condition prior to November 5, 2012.