Knee Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right knee disability that he contends was incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's left wrist and elbow disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the left wrist receiving a 10% rating effective March 11, 2013. The left elbow disability received a 10% rating from February 6, 1992, through March 10, 2013, and a 10% rating on and after March 11, 2013. An effective date of June 14, 2005, was granted for the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for TDIU based on extraschedular considerations.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for ACL deficiency in his left knee was denied due to his failure to report for a required VA examination.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects limitation of motion to greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees. The Veteran does not have ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia with arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting painful motion without compensable limitation of motion. There are no findings of dislocated semilunar cartilage, recurrent subluxation, lateral instability, or meniscal conditions that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The right eye disability is related to service, the left foot/toe and hip/hand/knee disabilities are all found to be secondary to his service-connected knee disability, and he has a separate 10% rating for atrophy of the left leg due to his knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to complete the necessary steps for a TDIU claim prior to April 4, 2011. The VA Form 21-8940 needs to be completed and any relevant private records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected multiple lipomas of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, anterior trunk, and posterior trunk have been rated as noncompensable prior to April 18, 2017, and as 20 percent disabling thereafter. Service connection for right knee osteoarthritis has also been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the service connection claims for left and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the knees is found to be related to his military service, specifically his deep sea diving during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability. The TDIU claim is part and parcel with the rating claim on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of recent medical records.

The Board denied service connection for cherubism with secondary problems of the jaw and left knee degenerative changes, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthrosis with chondromalacia of patella is not manifested by limitation of extension to 20 degrees or limitation of flexion to 45 degrees, and his lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and coronary artery disease (to include as secondary to hypertension).,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to provide an additional VA examination and obtain outstanding medical evidence. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also on appeal, as part and parcel of the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including degenerative joint disease and chronic quadriceps muscle strain, has not met the criteria for a higher rating since June 15, 2012.,Since December 29, 2015, his service-connected severe muscle injury of the left quadriceps has also not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a meniscal disorder, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to May 7, 2015. The Board found that his symptoms were limited and did not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's CAD rating was restored from October 1, 2010 to March 16, 2012. SMC based on housebound criteria was also restored.

The Veteran's left leg scar associated with the open reduction and internal fixation of his left femur fracture is rated at 10 percent since June 11, 2013. The Veteran's left hip disorder and left knee degenerative joint disease are both currently rated as 30 and 10 percent disabling respectively.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower back and right knee disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after his military service, and there is no evidence of a direct relationship to his service-connected bilateral foot cold hypersensitivity residuals.