Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for DJD of the left hip and service connection for DJD of the right knee. The claims are based on current diagnoses confirmed by VA examinations, with no documentation of chronic conditions during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for low back injury. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee disability, back disability, right foot disability, headaches, and RSD of bilateral lower extremities due to incomplete VA opinions.

The Board has denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that the current limitation of flexion does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee scars and osteoarthritis due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of all evidence in his file.

The Veteran's mild degenerative changes, calcified left quadriceps is related to his service-connected right knee disability and has been granted.,The Veteran's left elbow lateral epicondylitis is currently rated at 10 percent for painful motion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral knees due to incomplete records from Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, a left leg condition, and a right leg condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee instability was granted, and the effective date is set at January 4, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and TDIU due to PTSD. The Board found that the preexisting right knee condition existed prior to service, was not aggravated by service, and did not meet the criteria for direct service connection. Additionally, the Board determined that the Veteran’s other service-connected disability (right ankle sprain) alone does not make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right and left knee conditions due to insufficient information provided by the VA examination regarding flare-ups and additional functional loss.

The Board has determined that the claims must be remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to ensure compliance with prior remand directives for a proper examination of the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of lower back, left hip, and bilateral knee disabilities as secondary to service-connected residuals of a tibia and fibula fracture due to the Veteran's failure to appear at scheduled examinations. The VA will attempt to schedule new VA examinations.

The Board has granted reopening of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and remanded the increased rating claims for the thoracolumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as additional medical opinions regarding her claimed right foot, left foot, bilateral ankle, bilateral knee, bilateral hip, low back, joint pain, eye, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left and right knee conditions due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are needed for the Veteran's right knee arthritis, right knee instability, and PTSD due to changes in his disability picture over time. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for these conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee DJD have been rated at the minimum of 30 percent, but the Board found no evidence to support higher ratings based on additional functional loss or instability.

The Veteran's right and left knee DJD have been rated at the minimum of 30 percent each, based on limitation of motion. The Board found no evidence to support higher ratings for instability or other conditions.