Knee Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability, including anterior cruciate ligament tear and traumatic degenerative arthritis with lateral meniscal tears, warrants a rating of 10 percent since February 2, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a ventral hernia and service connection for back, left knee, and psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran's ventral hernia was rated as 20 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate examination for rating purposes. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, but denied the claims for bilateral hip and knee disorders as well as cervical spine disorders. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right and left knee, hip, low back, and neck disorders are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assigned separate 20 percent disability ratings for instability of the right and left knees is denied. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic arthritis of the left knee and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of July 25, 2016. The Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee and right ankle disabilities were not caused or aggravated by her active service. The preponderance of evidence did not support a causal connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and entitlement to a temporary total evaluation due to convalescence, as there is no established service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities do not warrant an extraschedular rating as her disability picture is contemplated by the rating schedule.

The Veteran's right knee DJD with osteoarthritis was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to April 5, 2011. He is now entitled to a separate evaluation for painful motion of the right knee and his total right knee arthroplasty has been rated at 30 percent since June 1, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for additional development, including referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a deviated septum has been denied as there is no current evidence of this condition during the appeal period.,For his bilateral knee disabilities, the Veteran's claims have not yet been fully adjudicated and require further development.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for large or thrombotic hemorrhoids that are irreducible, characterized by excessive redundant tissue, and recurring frequently.,For the period prior to December 29, 2015, the Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent. From May 13, 2015 to January 31, 2016, he received a temporary total rating due to convalescence following surgery. After February 1, 2016, his disability is rated as noncompensable for limitation of extension.,The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 29, 2015. From May 13, 2015 to January 31, 2016, he received a temporary total rating due to convalescence following surgery. After February 1, 2016, his disability is rated as noncompensable for limitation of extension.,The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 29, 2015. From May 13, 2015 to January 31, 2016, he received a temporary total rating due to convalescence following surgery. After February 1, 2016, his disability is rated as noncompensable for limitation of extension.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her left knee disability has been denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on the current manifestations of her condition.

The Veteran's right and left knee DJD were found to not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, with the exception of slight instability in the left knee which warranted a separate 10 percent rating from July 24, 2017.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent, effective August 25, 2010. A separate rating of 10 percent for left knee instability from November 17, 2016 has been granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine and DJD of the left knee have been denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings adequately reflect the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right or left knee condition that is service-connected, nor does he have eczema that can be linked to his military service.