Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent from September 17, 2009, to November 17, 2010, and increased to 30 percent from January 1, 2012, to February 29, 2016. The Veteran is now assigned a 60 percent rating for his right knee disability as of February 29, 2016.,The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5258 (dislocated meniscus) and currently receives the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5055 (knee replacement).

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disorder and low back disorder, as well as other issues on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ankle disability, right knee condition, and left knee condition are denied as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of any residual conditions related to his in-service Achilles tendon rupture.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids, ingrown toenails, bone spurs of the heels, right knee disability, varicose veins, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have all been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis for hemorrhoids and noted that pes planus was noted on entry into service but not aggravated by service. Service connection has been granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his right knee arthritis. A second VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to consider the Veteran's recent medical evidence and his VA/privately received treatment records for his bilateral knee conditions. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for painful motion, effective from April 2014.,The Veteran's vitiligo is currently assigned the maximum rating of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7823.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to all issues pending before the Board, including those related to traumatic brain injury, PTSD, low back strain, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, scars of the scalp and face, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, post-traumatic headaches, and residuals of a left elbow contusion.

The Veteran's current left knee disorder, degenerative joint disease, was not incurred as a result of service or in-service occurrence or event. Arthritis was not demonstrated until years after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's coronary artery disease is service-connected. The claim for service connection for seizures and right knee disability was reopened due to new evidence received since the April 2005 rating decision.

The Veteran's left knee conditions have been rated as 10 percent for both the anterior cruciate ligament rupture and associated instability. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate given the current functional limitations of the knee joint.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are service-connected, with the latter being granted based on in-service combat injuries. The bilateral foot disability is not yet rated.,Service connection for neck and back disabilities remains pending as there are no diagnoses provided by the May 2012 VA examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain new medical opinions for the Veteran's neck, back, and bilateral knee conditions due to inadequate previous opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and to consider separate ratings based on limitation of motion and meniscectomy residuals.

The Veteran seeks effective dates earlier than March 7, 2012 for the grant of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board finds that entitlement to such an effective date is not warranted as the earliest effective date allowed by law is March 7, 2012.,The Veteran also seeks increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability (back disability), degenerative joint disease of the left knee, and traumatic left knee injury with post-operative instability. The Board finds that entitlement to such increased ratings is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination. The issues on appeal are related to his depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right hip iliotibial band syndrome.

The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee chondromalacia patella. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to afford the Veteran a contemporaneous examination to determine the current severity of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of January 25, 2013 for the award of service connection for a left knee disability. The claims for migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, and right knee disability have been reopened.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was incurred in service and aggravated by his military duties. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of service connection for this condition.